IoT Product Engineering for Resilient Communications: Handheld Satellite-Ready V/UHF SDR Prototype
Introduction: The Challenge of Programmable, Dual-Mode Field Radio
A conceptual requirement existed for a portable, programmable V/UHF radio supporting frequency agility, secure intermittent satellite links, and severe field deployment constraints (size, heat, power). This demanded a functional prototype that validated the complex system architecture for a rugged, dual-mode smart infrastructure solution.
Solution Overview: Edge AI Embedded Systems for Flexible RF
EurthTech prototyped a handheld V/UHF SDR (Software - Defined Radio) using LimeSDR Mini for the flexible RF front-end and an ESP32 as the control plane. This Edge AI embedded system validated frequency agility, MANET discovery, and power management for both satellite-capable V/UHF and terrestrial fallback. The architecture is designed for migration to a rugged production radio.
Technical Implementation: Embedded Systems Development and Secure Comms
The embedded systems development integrated GNU Radio for waveform development and AES - 256 for payload encryption. We designed an adaptive power scheduler with idle deep-sleep and staged Tx power ramps to manage the SDR’s transient draw. Secure commS were validated with a hybrid key exchange flow (classical + PQC exploration). MANET routing was prototyped for terrestrial peer discovery, switching to store-and-forward for intermittent satellite links.
Results & Impact: Operational Validation and Product Roadmap
Lab testing validated frequency agility and Tx spectral purity. Prototype metrics included reconfiguration latency <300 ms and EVM (Error Vector Magnitude) within satellite uplink requirements. The prototype delivered a validated architecture, clear BoM, IP67 enclosure suggestions, and a comprehensive certification roadmap, significantly de-risking the client's investment in this complex IoT product engineering solution.
Scalability & GIS Context: The roadmap outlines migrating DSP to FPGA/ASIC and selecting defense-certified components. While primarily a communications platform, resilient, secure SDR networks are foundational for deploying large-scale geospatial engineering services and maintaining situational awareness in GNSS - denied environments, a core requirement for a modern GIS consulting company.