Sequential Wave Imprinting Machine (SWIM) Implementation using SDR (Software-Defined Radio)

We present an augmented reality (AR) system using the Sequential Wave Imprinting Machine (SWIM) with software-defined radio (SDR) to phase-coherently visualize electromagnetic (EM) radio waves and other periodic wave phenomena in real-time. This allows us to see, understand, learn about, teach, exhibit, display, and photograph the otherwise invisible waves. The SWIM achieves phase-coherent detection by using a lock-in amplifier (LIA) fed from a receive antenna that moves together with a light source (e.g. linear array of LEDs). They both move together with respect to a stationary radio source such as a transmit antenna, and a stationary reference antenna. Thus, the otherwise invisible radio waves become visible to the naked eye, photographic camera, or to a phenomenal augmented or virtual reality system.