National Security Solutions (NSS) Internship - Automatic Gain Control for Software Defined Radio

KBR, Inc. • Ann Arbor, MI

1d

About The Position

Project Overview A C++ driver for a software defined radio is experiencing saturation problems and DC offsets preventing it from recording signals of interest. The intern will modify this driver to support automatic gain control by tasking the SDR’s API with custom gain settings during collection. The selected candidate will record gain settings in data files and provide support for re-scaling magnitudes in post-processing according to the gain level set at the time of collection. Learning Outcomes & Impact The intern will address challenging technical problems with guidance from technical mentors and staff. They will learn how to analyze complex RF data, apply signal processing techniques, and implement filtering algorithms in c++. They will learn how to troubleshoot hardware and the difference between theory and practice.

Requirements

• EDUCATION Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in the following disciplines: Majoring in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering. OR Majoring in physics, computer science, engineering, or math with a minor in CS, CE or EE.
• COURSEWORK/EXPERIENCE/HARD SKILLS Intermediate computer science class (sophomore level or higher).
• C++ – proficient
• MATLAB or Python – reading/writing files, plotting data
• Binary encoding and file formats
• Complex numbers – IQ and phasors
• FAMILIARITY/KNOWLEDGE OF SPECIFIC SOFTWARE/TOOLS/FRAMEWORKS Cmake
• Git
• Command line interfaces
• Bash
• SOFT SKILLS Clear verbal and written communication.
• Organization and presentation of results in a semi-public briefing.
• Familiarity with standard office tool suites (documents, spreadsheets, presentations).

Nice To Haves

• COURSEWORK/EXPERIENCE/HARD SKILLS Digital Signal Processing
• Multithreaded programming
• CS = algorithms and optimization
• Near real time processing
• Experience processing complex data
• RF-Hardware
• FAMILIARITY/KNOWLEDGE OF SPECIFIC SOFTWARE/TOOLS/FRAMEWORKS Software defined radios
• Linux environments
• Port access through c++

Responsibilities

• Compile and test the existing data collector - plot signals of interest.
• Define approach for calculating gain settings - summarize plan in 1-2 slides.
• Implement automatic gain control selection in C++ code.
• Test AGC on live RF-data tapped off rooftop antenna.
• Summarize results in one or more briefings for local technical staff.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern