The UbiNET Lab Summer School on Wireless and Hackathon, held from September 19-22, 2024, was a four-day event designed to immerse students in the world of wireless communication, spectrum analysis, and practical hands-on learning. This event brought together undergraduate and graduate students to explore the principles of wireless technologies, spectrum challenges, and tools for network analysis. Through workshops and hands-on activities led by Dr. Mariya Zheleva from the University at Albany, New York, students gained valuable knowledge and experience in the field of wireless communication. To learn more about Dr. Zheleva, visit this link.

On the first day of the Hackathon, students learned about internet principles and early communications. They also covered the beginnings and types of wireless communication configurations worldwide, along with the infrastructure requirements. Furthermore, challenges in wireless communication and spectrum saturation were studied.

On the second day, the focus was on Wi-Fi configuration and its interference. Additionally, wireless communication interference was examined, along with the use of tools like NetSpot, ping, iperf, Wireshark, and awk.

On the third day, the study of the spectrum and popular technologies was assigned. Students analyzed an SDR-based spectrum sensor and began building their own. They conducted a local spectrum scan of TV, radio, and cellular stations in Mayagüez.

During the last day, by using Android phones and the RF Analyzer app, students, with the help of PhD students, were able to construct the sensor and present the results of their work from the past days.

A special thanks to SpectrumX for their collaboration, which made this event possible.