Work In Progress: Baseband Arbitrary Function Generator Integrated with GNU Radio

This paper describes the advances made in imple-menting a Baseband Arbitrary Function Generator integrated with GNU Radio. This project is the second version of a previous one with enhancements. It will operate as an arbitrary generator, powered from a personal computer, and will additionally serve as a Pulse Amplitude Modulator (PAM). This last function is useful for teaching Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) through laboratory exercises in introductory communication system courses. The major improvements include higher operation frequency, inte-gration of a communication protocol with GNU Radio, expanded availability of sample rates for operation, and dual output capability. Two outputs are necessary to synthesize complex signals (real and imaginary parts), which are commonly used with GNU Radio. All these hardware modifications require updating the GNU Radio block built for the previous version. Currently, two hardware prototypes of the new version have been made and are undergoing testing,