I love Tik Tok.  In fact, my associates at ATI often tire of me telling them about the newest trends that are being copied over and over again on Tik Tok.  It is amusing to see how so many people can create a similar video and do it in their own unique way.

One trend that is very popular now is videos where a teenager is asked about the meaning of words or phrases that were popular back in the dark ages ( the 70’s and 80’s ).  It is amusing to see how today’s kids are so unaware of the words or phrases that are obvious to old fogies like me. 

I started thinking about a new trend that would be fun.  What if kids were to present older people with words that they are familiar with, to see if the older folks knew what the word or phrase meant?  Now that might be interesting.

Let’s imagine what words your kid might challenge you with.

How would you react if your kid presented you with the phrase “Software Defined Radio”? 

Your first reaction might be something like …. “Did you mean Radio, because I AM familiar with that term?  I used to have a radio in my Chevelle!”  But, your kid responds ….. “ NO! I said Software Defined Radio.  Its nothing like what you had in your Chevelle.  I learned about it in school today, and I want to learn more about programming SDR in an engineering program at college next year!”  You sheepishly admit that you never heard of Software Defined Radio.

Wikipedia tells us that Software-defined radio (SDR) is a communication system where components that have been traditionally implemented in analog hardware are instead implemented by means of software on a personal computer. Said differently, if you took apart the radio in your old car, you would find lots of hardware ( transistors, capacitors, resistors, etc. ).  If you took apart a radio in your new car, you would find only chips which contain software that is controlling your radio.

SDR is an up-and-coming area which all of us should be aware of.  And, if you are an engineer who has a working knowledge of C++ and Python in Linux, then maybe you would want to learn about how to build Software Defined Radios.

ATI is offering Software Defined Radio; Practical Applications in October 2022.  Take a look at the course description here, and if looks like a course you may be interested in, please register for the class at that same site.  Remember, a working knowledge of C++ and Python in Linux is necessary for this class.

And, as always, if you want to see the full set of courses offered at ATI, please visit us at www.aticourses.com.