DARPA Spectrum Challenge Standardizes on USRP Product Family

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has recently announced the Spectrum Challenge, a competition that will require participants to develop intelligent radio protocols. These protocols must be designed to perform in challenging RF environments with dynamic, interfering wireless signals. The Spectrum Challenge will entail head-to-head competitions between teams, which will be scored with objective measures such as total data transfer in a fixed time period.

All teams must use USRP devices, which are connected to the ORBIT radio network developed by Rutgers University. Teams are free to use any development tools, but must demonstrate proficiency with GNU Radio to enter the competition. Ettus Research is proud that the Spectrum Challenge has standardized on the USRP product family. We believe this is a testament to the flexibility and ease-of-use of this platform.

This is a an exciting opportunity for the software-defined radio community, and we encourage our users to assemble teams. If a team requires hardware to practice or prepare for the competition, Ettus Research provides several compatible products, such as the USRP B100 Bundle or the USRP N200. Our LiveUSB SDR Environment, also offers an accelerate path to begin working with GNU Radio and the USRP. If teams require additional support, or has any questions, please contact [email protected].

For more information about the Spectrum Challenge, please visit http://dtsn.darpa.mil/spectrumchallenge.

For more information on the ORBIT radio network, visit this site: http://www.orbit-lab.org/.