UWB MAC Design Constraints and Considerations

In this paper, we consider the possibility of developing an optimal medium access control (MAC)layer for high data rate ultra-wideband (UWB) transmission systems that transmit minimal power. MAC in UWB wireless networks is required to coordinate channel access among competing devices. The unique UWB characteristics offer great challenges and opportunities in effective UWB MAC design. We first study the background of UWB and available MAC protocols that have been used in UWB. Secondly, we explore the constraints on UWB MAC design. Finally we present the considerations that need to be made in designing an optimal UWB MAC protocol

Timing and Carrier Synchronization in Wireless Communication Systems: A Survey and Classification of Research in the Last 5 Years

Timing and carrier synchronization is a fundamental requirement for any wireless communication system to work properly. Timing synchronization is the process by which a receiver node determines the correct instants of time at which to sample the incoming signal. Carrier synchronization is the process by which a receiver adapts the frequency and phase of its local carrier oscillator with those of the received signal. In this paper, we survey the literature over the last 5 years (2010–2014) and present a comprehensive literature review and classification of the recent research progress in achieving timing and carrier synchronization in single-input single-output (SISO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), cooperative relaying, and multiuser/multicell interference networks. Considering both single-carrier and multi-carrier communication systems, we survey and categorize the timing and carrier synchronization techniques proposed for the different communication systems focusing on the system model assumptions for synchronization, the synchronization challenges, and the state-of-the-art synchronization solutions and their limitations. Finally, we envision some future research directions

UWB in 3D Indoor Positioning and Base Station Calibration

There are several technologies available for object locating and tracking in outdoor and indoor environments but performance requirements are getting tighter and precise object tracking is still largely an open challenge for researchers. Ultra wideband technology (UWB) has been identified as one of the most promising techniques to enhance a mobile node with accurate ranging and tracking capabilities. For indoor applications almost all positioning technologies require physical installation of fixed infrastructure. This infrastructure is usually expensive to deploy and maintain. The aim of this thesis is to improve the accessibility of the RF-positioning systems by lowering the configuration cost. Real time localisation and tracking systems (RTLS) based on RF technologies pose challenges especially for the deployment of positioning system over large areas or throughout buildings within a number of rooms. If calibration is done manually by providing information about the exact position of the base stations, the initial set-up is particularly time consuming and laborious. In this thesis a method for estimating the position and orientation (x, y, z, yaw, pitch and roll) of a base station of a real time localization system is presented. The algorithm uses two-dimensional Angle of Arrival information (i.e. azimuth and elevation measurements). This allows more inaccurate manual initial survey of the base stations and improves the final accuracy of the positioning. The thesis presents an implementation of the algorithm, simulations and empirical results. In the experiments, hardware and software procured from Ubisense was used. The Ubisense RTLS bases on UWB technology and utilises Angle of Arrival and Time Difference of Arrival techniques. Performance and functionality of the Ubisense RTLS were measured in various radio environments as well as the implementation of the calibration algorithm. Simulations and experiment studies showed that camera calibration method can be successfully adapted to position systems based on UWB technology and that the base stations can be calibrated in a sufficient accuracy. Because of more flexible calibration, the final positioning accuracy of the Ubisense system was as whole in average better.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

Ultra-Wideband Technology: Characteristcs, Applications and Challenges

Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology is a wireless communication technology designed for short-range applications. It is characterized by its ability to generate and transmit radio-frequency energy over an extensive frequency range. This paper provides an overview of UWB technology including its definition, two representative schemes and some key characteristics distinguished from other types of communication. Besides, this paper also analyses some widely used applications of UWB technology and highlights some of the challenges associated with implementing UWB in real-world scenarios. Furthermore, this paper expands upon UWB technology to encompass terahertz technology, providing an overview of the current status of terahertz communication, and conducting an analysis of the advantages, challenges, and certain corresponding solutions pertaining to ultra-wideband THz communication

Location-aware and Cooperative Communication in an OFDM based Ultra-wideband Radio System

Die auf dem orthogonalen Frequenzmultiplex (OFDM, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) basierende Ultra-Breitband-(UWB, Ultra-wideband) Technologie stellt eine verheißungsvolle Technologie dar, um hohe Datenübertragungsraten und Lokalisierungs- und deren Tracking-Anwendungen zu realisieren. Im Gegensatz zu anderen Systemen ist die Reichweite von OFDM UWB Systemen durch eine strenge Regulierung sehr stark begrenzt. Darüber hinaus ist die Lokalisierung nicht zufriedenstellend. Damit sind bereits die beiden größten Nachteile im Bezug auf bestehende OFDM UWB System benannt. Die Motivation und Hauptaufgabe dieser Arbeit ist damit die Lösung der eben genannten Nachteile. Es wird ein OFDM UWB System vorgestellt, das Space Frequency Block Coding (SFBC) und FFH OFDM miteinander verbindet. Dieses vereinte System wertet die räumliche und frequentielle Diversität eines OFDM-Symbols aus und zeigt dabei eine hohe Güte in der Punkt-zu-Punkt Kommunikation. Beim Design von kooperativen UWB-Systemen wird ein AF-(Amplify-and-Forward) basiertes echtzeitfähriges SFBC-TFC (Time Frequency Code) Protokoll vorgestellt. In Kombination mit den oben genannten Strategien, kann eine Erhöhung in den Reichweite von OFDM UWB Systemen erreicht werden. In den Ausführungen zur Ortung anhand von OFDM UWB Signalen wird ein Algorithmus entwickelt, der aufgrund einer Kanalschätzung eine Minimierung des Phasenversatzes zwischen geschätztem und realem Kanal im Frequenzbereich durchführt. Diese Minimierung erwirkt eine Unterdrückung der Energie am Ende der Kanalimpulsantwort (CIR, Channel Impulse Response) im Zeitbereich. Zum Zweck der einfachen Implementierbarkeit wird das RTT (Round-Trip-Time) Messprotokoll in WiMedia UWB Systemen dahingehend verändert, dass das mobile Gerät keine Minimierung vornimmt. Es leitet seine Informationen an das mit ihm Kommunizierende, stationäre Gerät weiter, das direkt den gesamten Zeitversatz innerhalb des RTT berechnet. Der vorgeschlagene Algorithmus und das vorgeschlagene Protokoll haben ein besseres Ortungsvermögen als bekannte UWB Lokalisierungsprozeduren und bedürfen nur etwas zusätzlicher Berechnungsleistung. Diese Arbeit zeigt, dass Systeme mit hohen Datenraten wie OFDM UWB auch eine gute Lokalisierungsgenauigkeit erreichen können. Zusätzlich ist die Schwachstelle einer limitierten Reichweite ebenso kompensiert worden. Diese Erweiterungen dienen der Entwicklung von nützlichen UWB-Applikationen und sichern den Anteil der OFDM UWB Technik im Markt der drahtlosen Kommunikationssysteme der Zukunft.The Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) based Ultra-wideband (UWB) is one of the most promising technologies for high data rate transmission and localization and tracking applications. However, the restricted transmit power causes a shorter communication range compared to other indoor radio systems. In addition, the ranging functionality is still not well supported by the current OFDM based UWB technology. These two drawbacks are the main disadvantages existing in the current OFDM UWB systems. To get rid of the two drawbacks, is the motivation and main task of this thesis. Within the scope of this thesis, a joint design of Space Frequency Block Coding (SFBC) with Fast Frequency Hopping (FFH) OFDM scheme is investigated in a multiple antenna OFDM UWB system. The joint scheme is able to exploit spatial and frequency domain diversity within one OFDM symbol, and can improve the data transmission quality in point-to-point communication. To the cooperative communication in UWB systems, an Amplify-and-Forward (AF) based distributed SFBC-TFC (Time Frequency Code) protocol is designed. In combination with the aforementioned strategies an increase in the communication range is achieved. Within the scope of this thesis, accurate ranging schemes for the OFDM UWB systems are designed. Fine ToA detection method based on the estimated channel is developed. The fine ToA is estimated by minimizing the accumulated energy of the tail taps of the estimated Channel Impulse Response (CIR). For the purpose of a feasible implementation, the Round-Trip-Time (RTT) measurement protocol in [WiM09] is modified in a way that the complicated computational tasks are burden onto the powerful device. The proposed fine ToA detection method and modified RTT protocol provides an accurate ranging capability and ensures feasible implementation to the MB-OFDM UWB systems. In carrying out this scheme, only some computational tasks are needed, no extra hardware support is required. It is shown in this thesis, OFDM UWB systems with very high data rate transmission and good ranging capability could be achieved, and the weakness of limited communication range is also compensated. These improvements will cause the rise of more valuable UWB applications for customers and ensures a bright future for the OFDM UWB technique

Ultra Wideband

Ultra wideband (UWB) has advanced and merged as a technology, and many more people are aware of the potential for this exciting technology. The current UWB field is changing rapidly with new techniques and ideas where several issues are involved in developing the systems. Among UWB system design, the UWB RF transceiver and UWB antenna are the key components. Recently, a considerable amount of researches has been devoted to the development of the UWB RF transceiver and antenna for its enabling high data transmission rates and low power consumption. Our book attempts to present current and emerging trends in-research and development of UWB systems as well as future expectations

Research on port AGV composite positioning based on UWB/RFID

In recent years, ports in various countries have successively carried out research and application of fully automated terminal. The terminal adopts the "Double car shore bridge + AGV + ARMG" automation process, which is the most widely used and relatively mature fully automated solution. At present, the AGV navigation of the terminal is based on RFID magnetic nail positioning and the accuracy is good. However, nowadays UWB technology has become the most popular technology in ranging and positioning. The research in this work is based on UWB/RFID composite positioning, which is mainly used for the specific localization tasks in the port and it can accurately locate the position of the AGV. This MSc work studies the UWB positioning system first and then researches the traditional 3D positioning algorithm. Importance contribution expressed by 3D TOA localization algorithm. For RFID system, this connection between the reader and the carrier is designed, and the reference tag is buried. At last, data-based on RFID localization algorithm in scene analysis method is adopted for positioning. Secondly, the basis of the composite positioning system is data fusion technology. The most widely used and mature fusion algorithm is the Kalman filter algorithm and Particle filter. Finally, the experimental analysis of UWB and RFID composite positioning system is implemented. The results indicate that UWB and RFID composite positioning system can reduce the cost of the positioning system. Higher positioning accuracy and robustness are characterizing the developed system.Nos últimos anos, portos de vários países realizaram sucessivamente pesquisas e aplicações de terminais totalmente automatizados. O terminal adota o processo de automação "Double car shore bridge + AGV + ARMG", que é a solução totalmente automatizada mais amplamente utilizada e relativamente madura. Atualmente, a navegação AGV do terminal é baseada no posicionamento da etiqueta RFID e a precisão é boa. No entanto, hoje em dia, a tecnologia UWB tornou-se na tecnologia mais popular relativamente ao alcance e posicionamento. A pesquisa neste trabalho é baseada no posicionamento composto por UWB / RFID, usado principalmente para tarefas de localização específicas nos portos, podendo desta forma localizar-se com precisão a posição do AGV. Este projeto de mestrado estuda em primeiro lugar o sistema de posicionamento UWB, e depois um algoritmo tradicional de posicionamento 3D. A contribuição da importância expressa pelo algoritmo de posicionamento “time of arrival” (TOA) 3D foi proposta. Para o sistema de posicionamento RFID, a conexão entre o leitor e a transportadora é projetada e a etiqueta de referência é ocultada. Por fim, o algoritmo de “k-nearest neighbor” baseado numa base de dados e no método de análise de cena é adotado para realizar o posicionamento. Em segundo lugar, a base do sistema de posicionamento composto é a tecnologia de fusão de dados. O algoritmo de fusão mais amplamente utilizado e maduro é o algoritmo de filtro Kalman e o filtro de partículas. Finalmente, é realizada a análise experimental do sistema de posicionamento composto UWB e RFID. Os resultados experimentais mostram que o sistema de posicionamento composto UWB e RFID pode reduzir o custo do sistema de posicionamento. O sistema desenvolvido é caracterizado por uma maior precisão de posicionamento e robustez