Dataset-14: AERPAW helikite spectrum measurements at Lake Wheeler site in August 2024
Lead Experimenter
Ozgur Ozdemir, North Carolina State University
Link to Dataset
- Dataset Link:
The dataset includes power spectrum measurements and GPS logs that are collected at a drone in a rural environment. The SigMF format dataset including format conversion codes can be accessed here [Dryad].
Publications Using This Dataset
- S. J. Maeng, A. F. Raouf, O. Ozdemir, T. Zajkowski, M. Mushi, M. L. Sichitiu, R. Dutta, I. Guvenc, “Altitude-Dependent Sub-6 GHz Wireless Spectrum: Survey, Measurements, Trends, and Modeling,” Elsevier Computer Networks, June 2026.
- A. H. F. Raouf, D. Lee, M. Rahman, S. Masrur, G. Reddy, C. Dickerson, M. S. Hossen, S. Vargas Villar, A. Gürses, S. Singh, S. J. Maeng, M. Ezuma, C. Roberts, M. R. Sarbudeen, T. J. Zajkowski, M. Mushi, O. Ozdemir, R. Asokan, I. Guvenc, M. L. Sichitiu, R. Dutta, “Curated Wireless Datasets for Aerial Networks Research,” Nature npj Wireless Technology, June 2026.
- S. J. Maeng, I. Guvenc, “Altitude-Dependent Cellular Spectrum Occupancy: from Measurements to Stochastic Geometry Models,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, May 2025.
- D. Lee, S. J. Maeng, O. Ozdemir, M. B. Pandian, I. Guvenc, “Reliability of Wi-Fi, LTE, and 5G-based UAV RC links in ISM bands: Uplink interference asymmetry analysis and HARQ design,” IEEE Open J. Commun. Society, January 2025.
- A. F. H. Raouf, I. Guvenc, “Multi-Year Spectral Structure of 6G Candidate Bands at 2.7 GHz and 4.4 GHz,” Proc. IEEE DySpan Workshops, May 2026.
- A. H. F. Raouf, “Improving Wireless Spectrum Utilization: Hybrid VLC-RF Networks and Sub-6 GHz Aerial Spectrum Measurements, Analysis, and Datasets,” PhD Dissertation, January 2026.
- D. Lee, “Ray Tracing-Based MIMO Link Analysis and Performance Evaluation of Asymmetric Links for UAV Networks,” PhD Dissertation, January 2026.
Equipment and Software Used
LPN on Helikite, USRP B205mini on LPN, UHD1 Spectrum monitoring software
Description
This dataset captures spectrum measurements collected during the AERPAW helikite flight at Lake Wheeler in August 2024. The helikite ascended to an altitude of 300 m, maintained this altitude for approximately six hours, and then descended. Using the USRP B205mini, continuous spectrum sweeps up to 6 GHz were performed, with power measurements logged across various frequency bands. The dataset includes post-processed results using Matlab, focusing on spectrum occupancy across different bands and examining the impact of altitude on spectrum sensing outcomes.
Representative Results
The Helikite’s trajectory, altitude during the experiment, and spectrum monitoring results are presented below.
Potential use cases for this dataset include:
- Enhancing Spectrum Management
- Environmental and Geographical Analysis of Spectrum
- Spectrum Occupancy Modeling at all sub-6 GHz Bands