Dataset-10: AERPAW helikite spectrum measurements at Packapalooza Festival in August 2023

2024

2023, 85 MHz – 6 GHz, Helikite, Spectrum Occupancy Measurements, Urban

Canonical Experiments, UHD Python-API, UHD1:Spectrum Monitoring

Helikite, Spectrum Measurements

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

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.
A. H. F. Raouf, I. Guvenc, “Inter-Year Transfer of Altitude-Dependent Spectrum Activity Models Using Minimal Calibration,” IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems, January 2026.
S. J. Maeng, I. Guvenc, “Altitude-Dependent Cellular Spectrum Occupancy: from Measurements to Stochastic Geometry Models,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, May 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, 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, “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

We float the helikite-mounted software-defined radio (SDR) and global positioning system (GPS) receivers around 90 minutes from noon during NC State’s Packapalooza festival in August 2023. The helikite holds a low altitude of around 5 m for 45 minutes and then flies up to around 140 m. After the helikite holds height for a few minutes, it gradually goes down to the ground. The spectrum is swept up to 6 GHz. A single spectrum sweeping takes around 15 seconds and a total of 364 sweeping is executed during the experiment.

Representative Results

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