Spectrum Slit
By Andrew Gregory. Posted
Your eyes and ears are sensitive to a tiny range of wavelengths. Other living creatures can perceive different parts of the spectrum – bees, for instance, can pick up visual information in the petals of flowers that we can’t see at all. But even though we can’t see these hidden RF signals, it doesn’t mean they’re not there. If you have a computer and a phone – each with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and their background electrical noise – you’re immersed in a cacophony of RF signals.
A quick into to Python – short scripts, rapid results
This work exposes that hidden layer of reality by translating radio wave activity into light (and sound) in real time. It measures radio signals within the 2.4GHz–5GHz bands frequencies used by Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and other domestic wireless devices, and visualises them with 64 glowing filaments arranged to visually echo a scientific frequency plot.
The measuring of the RF spectrum is performed by a HackRF One, which is a software-defined radio that can detect frequencies ranging from 10MHz (commonly used for calibrating electronic equipment) to 6GHz (used by high-speed Wi-Fi). The HackRF One continuously scans this frequency range, sending signals to a Raspberry Pi 5 which parses the information and drives the lights.
Features Editor Andrew trawls the internet for Cool Stuff while keeping the magazine running smoothly.
Subscribe to Raspberry Pi Official Magazine
Save up to 37% off the cover price and get a FREE Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W with a subscription to Raspberry Pi Official Magazine.
More articles
A Quick Intro to Python in Raspberry Pi Official Magazine 163
Do you want the convenience of artificial intelligence, without signing all of your data over to the business weirdos of Silicon Valley? Well now you can run your own chatbot GPT locally on Raspberry Pi. Keep your data safe from prying eyes by having it never leave your computer! Readers of a certain age may […]
Read more →
Win 1 of 5 Kiwi+ USB KVMs
About a year ago we reviewed the Kiwi USB KVM and were quite surprised with how well it worked for the price point compared to big name brand capture devices. The team at Cytrence took users (and our) feedback to create the upgraded Kiwi+ with a USB hub that can switch between both devices. We […]
Read more →
Kuensa portable music sequencer
We like the look of where this device is going.
Read more →