Demonstrating the practical challenges of wireless communications using USRP

Wireless communications is taught in most electronics degree curricula worldwide, where the main focus is the theory of communications. While it is essential that students learn the theory of communications, this is not enough to prepare them for their careers in industry. This is due to the fact that there are several practical challenges in designing and implementing wireless communications systems that are overlooked when focusing only on theory. Hence, in this article we describe the main challenges in designing practical communications systems, and demonstrate how the National Instruments Universal Software Radio Peripheral can be used for introducing and educating students about these challenges.