Implementation of Handheld, RF Test Equipment in the Classroom and the Field

The utilization of handheld, radio frequency (RF) equipment (spectrum analyzers and signal generators) for both classroom demonstrations and for student exercises conducted in the field is discussed. Demonstrations employ real-world, wireless systems to illustrate undergraduate concepts, such as channel access, modulation methods, and transmission bandwidth. The equipment has also been used to illustrate antenna concepts, such as gain, beamwidth, and polarization. Finally, the portability and robustness of the equipment has enabled students to collect field data for the purpose of characterizing both large- and small-scale propagation effects in a variety of environments.