Ultra-wideband


Ultra-wideband is a radio technology that can use a very low energy level for short-range, high-bandwidth communications over a large portion of the radio spectrum. UWB has traditional applications in non-cooperative radar imaging. Most recent applications target sensor data collection, precise locating, and tracking. UWB support started to appear in high-end smartphones in 2019. For a detailed list of Ultra-wideband supported mobile devices, see List of UWB-enabled mobile devices.

Characteristics

Ultra-wideband is a technology for transmitting information across a wide bandwidth. This allows for the transmission of a large amount of signal energy without interfering with conventional narrowband and carrier wave transmission in the same frequency band. Regulatory limits in many countries allow for this efficient use of radio bandwidth, and enable high-data-rate personal area network wireless connectivity, longer-range low-data-rate applications, and the transparent co-existence of radar and imaging systems with existing communications systems.
Ultra-wideband was formerly known as pulse radio, but the FCC and the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector currently define UWB as an antenna transmission for which emitted signal bandwidth exceeds the lesser of 500 MHz or 20% of the arithmetic center frequency. Thus, pulse-based systems—where each transmitted pulse occupies the UWB bandwidth —can access the UWB spectrum under the rules.

Theory

A significant difference between conventional radio transmissions and UWB is that conventional systems transmit information by varying the power level, frequency, or phase of a sinusoidal wave. UWB transmissions transmit information by generating radio energy at specific time intervals and occupying a large bandwidth, thus enabling pulse-position or time modulation. The information can also be modulated on UWB signals by encoding the polarity of the pulse, its amplitude and/or by using orthogonal pulses. UWB pulses can be sent sporadically at relatively low pulse rates to support time or position modulation, but can also be sent at rates up to the inverse of the UWB pulse bandwidth. Pulse-UWB systems have been demonstrated at channel pulse rates in excess of 1.3 billion pulses per second using a continuous stream of UWB pulses, while supporting forward error-correction encoded data rates in excess of 675 Mbit/s.
A UWB radio system can be used to determine the "time of flight" of the transmission at various frequencies. This helps overcome multipath propagation, since some of the frequencies have a line-of-sight trajectory, while other indirect paths have longer delays. With a cooperative symmetric two-way metering technique, distances can be measured to high resolution and accuracy.

Applications

Real-time location

Ultra-wideband technology is utilised for real-time locationing due to its precision and reliability. It plays a role in various industries such as logistics, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation. UWB's centimeter-level accuracy is valuable in applications in which using traditional methods may be unsuitable, such as in indoor environments, where GPS precision may be hindered. Its low power consumption ensures minimal interference and allows for coexistence with existing infrastructure. UWB performs well in challenging environments with its immunity to multipath interference, providing consistent and accurate positioning. In logistics, UWB increases inventory tracking efficiency, reducing losses and optimizing operations. Healthcare makes use of UWB in asset tracking, patient flow optimization, and in improving care coordination. In manufacturing, UWB is used for streamlining inventory management and enhancing production efficiency through accurate tracking of materials and tools. UWB supports route planning, fleet management, and vehicle security in transportation systems.
UWB uses multiple techniques for location detection:
Apple launched the first three phones with ultra-wideband capabilities in September 2019, namely, the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Apple also launched Series 6 of Apple Watch in September 2020, which features UWB, and their AirTags featuring this technology were revealed at a press event on April 20, 2021. The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra also began supporting UWB, along with the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+.
The Xiaomi MIX 4 released in August 2021 supports UWB, and offers the capability of connecting to select AIoT devices.
The FiRa Consortium was founded in August 2019 to develop interoperable UWB ecosystems including mobile phones. Samsung, Xiaomi, and Oppo are currently members of the FiRa Consortium. In November 2020, Android Open Source Project received first patches related to an upcoming UWB API; "feature-complete" UWB support was released in version 13 of Android.

Industrial applications

  • Automation and robotics: Its high data rate and low latency enable real-time communication and control between machines and systems. UWB-based communication protocols ensure reliable and secure data transmission, enabling precise coordination and synchronization of automated processes. This enhances manufacturing efficiency, reduces errors, and improves overall productivity. UWB can also be integrated into robotic systems to enable precise localization, object detection, and collision avoidance, further enhancing the safety and efficiency of industrial automation.
  • Worker safety and proximity sensing: Worker safety is a concern in industrial settings. UWB technology provides effective proximity sensing and worker safety solutions. By equipping workers with UWB-enabled devices or badges, companies can monitor their location and movement in real-time. UWB-based systems can detect potential collisions between workers and machinery, issuing timely warnings to prevent accidents. Moreover, UWB technology allows for the creation of safety zones and controlled access areas, ensuring the safe interaction of workers with hazardous equipment or restricted zones. This helps enhance workplace safety, reduce accidents, and protect employees from potential hazards.
  • Asset tracking and management: Efficient asset tracking and management are crucial for industrial operations. UWB enables precise and real-time tracking of assets within industrial facilities. By attaching UWB tags to equipment, tools, and inventory, companies can monitor their location, movement, and utilization. This enhances inventory management, reduces asset loss, minimizes downtime, and streamlines maintenance processes. UWB-based asset tracking systems provide accurate and reliable data, empowering businesses to optimize their resource allocation and improve overall operational efficiency.

    Radar

Ultra-wideband gained widespread attention for its implementation in synthetic aperture radar technology. Due to its high resolution capacities using lower frequencies, UWB SAR was heavily researched for its object-penetration ability. Starting in the early 1990s, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory developed various stationary and mobile ground-, foliage-, and wall-penetrating radar platforms that served to detect and identify buried IEDs and hidden adversaries at a safe distance. Examples include the railSAR, the boomSAR, the SIRE radar, and the SAFIRE radar. ARL has also investigated the feasibility of whether UWB radar technology can incorporate Doppler processing to estimate the velocity of a moving target when the platform is stationary. While a 2013 report highlighted the issue with the use of UWB waveforms due to target range migration during the integration interval, more recent studies have suggested that UWB waveforms can demonstrate better performance compared to conventional Doppler processing as long as a correct matched filter is used.
Ultra-wideband pulse Doppler radars have also been used to monitor vital signs of the human body, such as heart rate and respiration signals as well as human gait analysis and fall detection. It serves as a potential alternative to continuous-wave radar systems since it involves less power consumption and a high-resolution range profile. However, its low signal-to-noise ratio has made it vulnerable to errors.
Ultra-wideband is also used in "see-through-the-wall" precision radar-imaging technology, precision locating and tracking, and precision time-of-arrival-based localization approaches. UWB radar has been proposed as the active sensor component in an Automatic Target Recognition application, designed to detect humans or objects that have fallen onto subway tracks.

Data transfer

Ultra-wideband characteristics are well-suited to short-range applications, such as PC peripherals, wireless monitors, camcorders, wireless printing, and file transfers to portable media players. UWB was proposed for use in personal area networks, and appeared in the IEEE 802.15.3a draft PAN standard. However, after several years of deadlock, the IEEE 802.15.3a task group was dissolved in 2006. The work was completed by the WiMedia Alliance and the USB Implementer Forum. Slow progress in UWB standards development, the cost of initial implementation, and performance significantly lower than initially expected are several reasons for the limited use of UWB in consumer products.

Autonomous vehicles

UWB's precise positioning and ranging capabilities enable collision avoidance and centimeter-level localization accuracy, surpassing traditional GPS systems. Moreover, its high data rate and low latency facilitate seamless vehicle-to-vehicle communication, promoting real-time information exchange and coordinated actions. UWB also enables effective vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, integrating with infrastructure elements for optimized behavior based on precise timing and synchronized data. Additionally, UWB's versatility supports innovative applications such as high-resolution radar imaging for advanced driver assistance systems, secure key less entry via biometrics or device pairing, and occupant monitoring systems, potentially enhancing convenience, security, and passenger safety.