A Method to Analyze the Quality of FM Broadcasting Signal in Indoor Environment using Software Defined Radio

This paper presents a novel approach to assess the quality of FM broadcasting signals in indoor settings by utilizing Software Defined Radio (SDR). The SDR enabled versatile and precise signal capture and examination, analyzing metrics such as channel power, occupied bandwidth, harmonic distortion, and Complementary Cumulative Distribution Function (CCDF). The study uncovered that indoor settings pose distinct obstacles for FM signal transmission, such as multipath interference, signal reflection, and physical obstructions. Rooms with a smaller number of multipaths demonstrated higher signal strength, reaching a maximum of 32.05 dBm, and lower levels of harmonic distortion. Conversely, rooms with a higher number of barriers displayed poorer signal quality, with signal strength decreasing to 31.02 dBm. Outdoor FM transmissions had relatively less interference, leading to enhanced channel power of up to 31.465 dBm and a reduced occupied bandwidth of 183.5806 kHz, accompanied by decreased levels of harmonic distortion. The CCDF analysis confirmed these results, showing that outdoor situations had greater decibel (dB) values, reaching a maximum of 1.803 dB, indicating superior signal dependability compared to inside readings, which reached a maximum of 0.873 dB. These findings are essential for enhancing FM broadcast systems to improve indoor reception.