Título:
Gamifying Signals : Communications-themed capture the flag for outreach, engagement, and education
Otros títulos:
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Director:
Compilador:
Autor:
Larroca, Federico
Belcredi, Gonzalo
García Camargo, Romina Belén
García González, Gastón
Inglés, Lucas
Mariño, Camilo
Randall, Martín
Belcredi, Gonzalo
García Camargo, Romina Belén
García González, Gastón
Inglés, Lucas
Mariño, Camilo
Randall, Martín
Tutor:
Tipo de documento:
Postprint
Editor:
Palabras clave:
Software Defined Radio (SDR)
Telecommunications
Capture the Flag (CTF)
Tournament
Problem-based Learning
Telecommunications
Capture the Flag (CTF)
Tournament
Problem-based Learning
Descriptores:
Año de publicación:
2025
Contenido:
Resumen:
This article presents and discusses a communications-themed Capture the Flag (CTF) competition designed to enhance visibility and engagement with Electrical and Communications Engineering (ECE). In response to declining enrollments in ECE disciplines worldwide, and in line with pedagogical research advocating for early technical exposure, our initiative leverages Software Defined Radio (SDR) as both a teaching tool and a medium for community building. The CTF features two complementary formats: a virtual edition, designed for technically advanced students and professionals, and an in-person edition, aimed at high-school students and the general public. The virtual challenges are based on recorded IQ signals, requiring participants to decode messages using SDR tools like GNU Radio, guided by appealing narrative clues. The in-person version takes the form of a treasure hunt using live radio signals—initially with SDRs and later simplified to smartphone-accessible signals such as audio, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. In addition to describing in detail both versions of the CTF, we share pivotal lessons learned in our five years’ experience. During this time, the CTF has grown into a robust educational and outreach platform, fostering a community of SDR practitioners, supporting curriculum development, and motivating students to pursue careers in telecommunications. We are convinced that this kind of hands-on, narrative-driven technical challenges can play a significant role in demystifying complex concepts, stimulating interest in ECE, and bridging gaps between education, industry, and the public.
Descripción:
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Editorial:
EN:
IEEE Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnologías del Aprendizaje, vol. 20, oct, 2025, pp. 328-337.
Financiadores:
Citación:
Larroca, F., Belcredi, G., García Camargo, R. y otros. "Gamifying Signals : Communications-themed capture the flag for outreach, engagement, and education" [Postprint] IEEE Revista Iberoamericana de Tecnologías del Aprendizaje. [en línea]. 2025, vol. 20, pp. 328-337. DOI: 10.1109/RITA.2025.3620720.
Citación:
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Otros identificadores:
Cobertura geográfica:
Uruguay
Cobertura temporal:
Departamento académico:
Telecomunicaciones
Grupo de investigación:
Análisis de Redes, Tráficos y Estadísticas de Servicios (ARTES)
Licencia:
Licencia Creative Commons Atribución (CC - By 4.0)
Colecciones:
| Ficheros | Descripción | Tamaño | Formato | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LBGGIMR25 Postprint.pdf | — | 1.55 MB | Adobe PDF |