AudioRF is a new educational platform under development that uses real-time audio propagation to emulate wireless channel behavior for hands-on SDR instruction. By shifting RF waveform experimentation into the acoustic domain, AudioRF enables exploration of realistic multipath, Doppler, digital modulation, and other physical-layer effects using affordable purpose-built hardware, at a fraction of the cost of equivalent RF hardware when scaled to the speed of light.

This talk provides a first look at the platform’s architecture, anticipated compatibility with GNU Radio, and draft curriculum materials. The underlying concept of scaling the speed of light to the speed of sound for RF emulation is patent pending and is being developed to support SDR and DSP education in environments where cost, licensing, and RF complexity present barriers to learning.

The presentation will illustrate how the platform can be used for hands-on implementation of digital filtering, timing and carrier recovery, and modern modulations such as QAM and OFDM, as well as spatial techniques including diversity, beam steering and MIMO, using wavelength-consistent waveforms that reflect real-world channel effects at audio scale in real-time hardware.

Targeted for release in Spring 2026, AudioRF will include extensible software released under a permissive license and designed around common interfaces to simplify integration and modification. These design choices are intended to encourage collaboration and future community-developed functionality as the platform matures.

Attendees will preview the platform’s direction and have an opportunity to provide feedback to help shape its relevance to the signal processing community.