Press Release: 2025 SDR University Challenge
April 7, 2025: Wright Brothers Institute (WBI), in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is proud to celebrate the successful conclusion of the seventh annual Software Defined Radio (SDR) University Challenge and is honored to host the 2025 SDR Showcase and Awards Ceremony. This hybrid event, accommodating both in-person and virtual participants, will take place on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI), Daniel J. Curran Place, 1700 South Patterson Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409, USA (Marshall Room N1840). The event will feature presentations from the 8 finalist teams from 9 to 10 a.m., an open demonstration session from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (inperson only), followed by the awards ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a platform deemed ideal for exploring communication, sensing and networking applications: it is expected that SDR architects will be in high demand because of the highly congested electromagnetic environment. SDR allows enhancement of wireless devices via software upgrades, as opposed to traditional hardware-based radio, which requires physical intervention. Each team was given an SDR kit provided by the company National Instruments (part of Emerson), then turned loose to apply their skill and imagination in the design and prototyping of an SDR application of their choice.
WBI and AFRL jointly designed this Challenge to enhance current technology portfolios and attract the next generation workforce for this technology area. The Challenge runs annually and follows the academic year (October–April), with the teams checking in regularly via monthly teleconferences to report their progress and collect feedback. A total of 20 university teams across the United States participated in this challenge, with the top 8 teams invited to the Final Showcase event in Dayton.
At this year's SDR University Challenge Showcase, the teams' working prototypes will be evaluated by a panel of SDR experts, culminating in the awards presentation on April 25, where up to $10,000 in prizes will be awarded. The public is invited to attend teams’ presentations, live demonstrations and the awards ceremony (30 places are open to the public, but the number of online participants is not limited). This is a free event, but preregistration is requested. An agenda is available on the registration site.
SDR Showcase Online Registration Site: https://afrlsbhub.com/event/2024-25-softwaredefined-radio-sdr-university-challenge-showcase/
Here are the 20 university teams participating in this year’s Challenge, with the 8 finalist teams highlighted in bold (listed in alphabetical order):
• Brigham Young University (BYU), ICE Lab
• East Texas A&M University (ETAMU)
• Rutgers University
• The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) & Rice University
• University of Dayton (UD)
• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMassD) Corsailers
• University of North Dakota (UND) SemCom 6G
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) GNOATs
• California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) & Rice University
• Florida International University (FIU) Digital Prowlers
• Florida International University (FIU) Pipe Initiative
• Kennesaw State University (KSU)
• Stevens Institute of Technology, Signal Seekers
• University of Calgary (UCalgary) WAVES
• University of Connecticut (UConn) Team SDR Huskies
• University of Georgia, SunLab-UGA
• University of Houston • University of Louisville (UofL)
• University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston, UCaN Lab
• University of North Dakota (UND) Deep OFDM
About Wright Brothers Institute: Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) is a cutting-edge innovation and technology commercialization center for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, with facilities located just outside of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Dayton, OH. We drive fast, agile innovation that enables successful technology development to solve the Air Force’s most complex challenges by leveraging resident experts, unique facilities, disruptive innovation processes, and extensive networks. We leverage subject matter experts and intellectual property from AFRL and SBIR companies to unlock the right problem, connect to new partners and synchronize transition pathways through our commercialization partners.
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