| Lab Name |
Linear vs Non-Linear Representations of Data Using Experiment Connecting Distance and Wireless Signal Strength.
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| Subject Area |
Mathematics
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| Grade |
8
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| Topic |
Linear and Non-Linear Representations of Data.
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| Experiment Title |
Measuring the Strength of different Signals changing locations (indoor & outdoor) and using the data gathered by analyzing the results.
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| Hardware |
- COSMOS Toolkit: Computer Node
- COSMOS Toolkit: Mobile Node
- Software Defined Radio (i.e., ADALM Pluto SDR, RTL-SDR)
- Additional Transmitter (i.e., Walkie-Talkie, baby monitor, car key, or a radio control toy)
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| Software |
- COSMOS Toolkit: Framework
- GNU Radio Companion
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| Number of Sessions to teach the topic |
5 - 7 sessions (45 mins)
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| Educational standards to be addressed |
Describe qualitatively the functional relationship between two quantities by analyzing a graph (e.g., where the function is increasing or decreasing, linear or nonlinear).
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| COSMOS concepts to be used for the lab |
How distance impacts radio signal strength via wireless receivers. The effect attenuators have on signal strength and how reflection impacts wireless signal strength. |
| K12 Educational Goals (How the educational goals are achieved through teaching using the experiment, how the topic is connected to the COSMOS concepts used) |
Students should be able to determine the relationship between signal strength and distance; show and describe the relationship in a table and a graph.
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| Short Description and Walk-through of the experiment |
Students will perform the experiment indoors and outdoors. Students will explore signal strength by sending radio waves to the SDR-Receiver at different distances. The COSMOS Toolbox will collect the signal strength data and display the information as raw data (coordinate form). Students will take this data and input it into a table, create a graph, and then develop a linear equation using line of best fit. Students will discuss noticing, pattern, possible trends and discuss how the similarities and differences in signal strength both indoors and outdoors.
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| Testbed mapping of the experiment |
The experiment can be extended by executing it into a testbed (ORBIT/COSMOS) through the following steps:
Using different nodes on the testbed (one as a receiver and one as a transmitter) and then examine how signal strength is impacted when sent to nodes in different locations.
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© 2018 COSMOS Project. Created by Juditha Capa Damiao, Joseph F. Lamb School
Melissa Sanchez, Urban Assembly Academy for Future Leaders
Deidre Walker, New York Harbor School