Dataset-6: AERPAW helikite spectrum measurements at Packapalooza Festival in August 2022
2023
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 Helikite in an urban environment. The SigMF format dataset including format conversion codes can be accessed here [Dryad]. - Post Processing Code:
Post-processing Matlab codes for the dataset to generate representative results can be accessed here [download].
Publications Using This Dataset
- Yazen S. Almashhadani, “Reinforcement Learning for Dynamic Spectrum Allocation in 6G Networks,” Cihan University-Erbil Scientific Journal (CUESJ), July 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, O. Ozdemir, I. Guvenc, M. Sichitiu, R. Dutta, M. Mushi, Monisha Ghosh, “SDR-Based 5G NR C-Band I/Q Monitoring and Surveillance in Urban Area Using a Helikite,” Proc. IEEE ICIT23, April 2023.
- 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, I. Guvenc, “Beyond Path Loss: Altitude-Dependent Spectral Structure Modeling for UAV Measurements,” Proc. IEEE International Symposium on Spectrum Innovation (DySPAN), May 2026.
- S. J. Maeng, A. H. F. Raouf, O. Ozdemir, I. Guvenc, M. L. Sichitiu, “Height-Dependent Spectrum Activity Measurements and Modeling: A Case Study with FM Radio Bands,” Proc. IEEE Veh. Technol. Conf. (VTC), February 2026.
- S. J. Maeng, A. H. F. Raouf, I. Guvenc, O. Ozdemir, M. Sichitiu, R. Dutta, “Key Observations from Altitude-Dependent Sub-6 GHz Spectrum Measurements at AERPAW,” Proc. IEEE DySpan Workshops, May 2024.
- A. H. F. Raouf, S. J. Maeng, I. Guvenc, O. Ozdemir, M. Sichitiu, “Cellular Spectrum Occupancy Probability in Urban and Rural Scenarios at Various UAS Altitudes,” Proc. IEEE Personal, September 2023.
- A. H. F. Raouf, S. J. Maeng, I. Guvenc, O. Ozdemir, M. L. Sichitiu, “Spectrum Monitoring and Analysis in Urban and Rural Environments at Different Altitudes,” Proc. IEEE Veh. Technol. Conf. (VTC), June 2023.
- S. J. Maeng, O. Ozdemir, H. Nandakumar, I Guvenc, M. Sichitiu, R. Dutta, M. J. Mushi, “Spectrum Activity Monitoring and Analysis for Sub-6 GHz Bands Using a Helikite,” Proc. IEEE Testbeds for Advanced Systems Implementation and Research (TASIR) Workshop, January 2023.
- 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.
Equipment and Software Used
LPN on Helikite, USRP B205mini on LPN, UHD1 Spectrum monitoring software
Description
AERPAW flew its helikite platform at NC State’s Packapalooza festival on Aug. 27th. AERPAW portable nodes with two USRPs were attached to the helikite platform for collecting spectrum occupancy and 4G/5G link quality data throughout the day at altitudes up to 400 feet.
Representative Results
You can access representative results on spectrum occupancy measurements as a function of the helikite altitude here.
- Pictures in the Experiment: a Helikite Floats On-campus Site during Packapalooza Event
- Result figures
(Left) Helikite trajectory, (Center) Helikite altitude during the experiment, and (Right) Spectrum monitoring
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