Ultra wideband: applications, technology and future perspectives

Ultra Wide Band (UWB) wireless communications offers a radically different approach to wireless communication compared to conventional narrow band systems. Global interest in the technology is huge. This paper reports on the state of the art of UWB wireless technology and highlights key application areas, technological challenges, higher layer protocol issues, spectrum operating zones and future drivers. The majority of the discussion focuses on the state of the art of UWB technology as it is today and in the near future

Initial synchronisation of wideband and UWB direct sequence systems: single- and multiple-antenna aided solutions

This survey guides the reader through the open literature on the principle of initial synchronisation in single-antenna-assisted single- and multi-carrier Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) as well as Direct Sequence-Ultra WideBand (DS-UWB) systems, with special emphasis on the DownLink (DL). There is a paucity of up-to-date surveys and review articles on initial synchronization solutions for MIMO-aided and cooperative systems - even though there is a plethora of papers on both MIMOs and on cooperative systems, which assume perfect synchronization. Hence this paper aims to ?ll the related gap in the literature

A low-cost time-hopping impulse radio system for high data rate transmission

We present an efficient, low-cost implementation of time-hopping impulse radio that fulfills the spectral mask mandated by the FCC and is suitable for high-data-rate, short-range communications. Key features are: (i) all-baseband implementation that obviates the need for passband components, (ii) symbol-rate (not chip rate) sampling, A/D conversion, and digital signal processing, (iii) fast acquisition due to novel search algorithms, (iv) spectral shaping that can be adapted to accommodate different spectrum regulations and interference environments. Computer simulations show that this system can provide 110Mbit/s at 7-10m distance, as well as higher data rates at shorter distances under FCC emissions limits. Due to the spreading concept of time-hopping impulse radio, the system can sustain multiple simultaneous users, and can suppress narrowband interference effectively.Comment: To appear in EURASIP Journal on Applied Signal Processing (Special Issue on UWB - State of the Art

Technology Implications of UWB on Wireless Sensor Network-A detailed Survey

In today’s high tech “SMART” world sensor based networks are widely used. The main challenge with wireless-based sensor networks is the underneath physical layer. In this survey, we have identified core obstacles of wireless sensor network when UWB is used at PHY layer. This research was done using a systematic approach to assess UWB’s effectiveness (for WSN) based on information taken from various research papers, books, technical surveys and articles. Our aim is to measure the UWB’s effectiveness for WSN and analyze the different obstacles allied with its implementation. Starting from existing solutions to proposed theories. Here we have focused only on the core concerns, e.g. spectrum, interference, synchronization etc.Our research concludes that despite all the bottlenecks and challenges, UWB’s efficient capabilities makes it an attractive PHY layer scheme for the WSN, provided we can control interference and energy problems. This survey gives a fresh start to the researchers and prototype designers to understand the technological concerns associated with UWB’s implementatio

Performance of Bit Error Rate and Power Spectral Density of Ultra Wideband with Time Hopping Sequences.

This thesis focuses on several modulation methods for an ultra wideband (UWB) signal. These methods are pulse position modulation (PPM), binary phase shift keying (BPSK), on/off key shifting (OOK), and pulse amplitude modulation (PAM). In addition, time hopping is considered for these modulation schemes, where the capacity per time frame of time hopping PPM is studied using different spreading ratios. This thesis proves that with the addition of time hopping to all types of modulated UWB signals, the performance of power spectral density improves in all aspects, despite the increase of data per time frame. Note that despite the increase of data per frame, the bit error rate remains the same as standard non-time hopping UWB modulated signals

Finding the Optimal MAC Protocol for Low-Power High Data Rate Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Networks

In this paper, we explore the possibility of designing an optimal medium access control (MAC) layer for high data rate ultra-wideband (UWB) transmission systems that transmit very little power especially in mobile devices. MAC in UWB wireless networks is necessary 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 analyse the power consumption for UWB in mobile devices based on competing short-range wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as references. Finally we present the key issue that will be considered in the design of an optimal MAC layer that will fully exploit UWB potential as a low-power, high data rate, short range wireless transmission system

Waveform-independent frame-timing acquisition for UWB signals

In this paper, the problem of frame-level symbol timing acquisition for UWB signals is addressed. The main goal is the derivation of a frame-level timing estimator which does not require any prior knowledge of neither the transmitted symbols nor the received template waveform. The independence with respect to the received waveform is of special interest in UWB communication systems, where a fast and accurate estimation of the end-to-end channel response is a challenging and computationally demanding task. The proposed estimator is derived under the unconditional maximum likelihood criterion, and because of the low power of UWB signals, the low-SNR assumption is adopted. As a result, an optimal frame-level timing estimator is derived which outperforms existing acquisition methods in low-SNR scenarios.Peer Reviewe

UWB Radio Wireless Communication System Design for Railway Tunnels

Railway is an economical and comfortable mode of transportation for long distances. Safety, reliability and good quality of service are the main concern of railway industries which are maintained by railway management and communication system. There are several existing management systems like CCCS, ATCS, PTC and many more. With increasing population, demand for railway services also increases. To full fill these demands railway infrastructure has been developing continuously. By implementing latest technologies for railway communication we can make railway transportation safer, efficient, and more accessible. Ultra wideband radio communication system is amongst those very latest and rapidly growing technologies. This research work focuses on the study of UWB radio based wireless communication system for railway tunnels, whose main task is to maintain an uninterrupted data transmission between train driver to wayside controller

UWB Tracking System Design for Free-Flyers

This paper discusses an ultra-wideband (UWB) tracking system design effort for Mini-AERCam (Autonomous Extra-vehicular Robotic Camera), a free-flying video camera system under development at NASA Johnson Space Center for aid in surveillance around the International Space Station (ISS). UWB technology is exploited to implement the tracking system due to its properties, such as high data rate, fine time resolution, and low power spectral density. A system design using commercially available UWB products is proposed. A tracking algorithm TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival) that operates cooperatively with the UWB system is developed in this research effort. Matlab simulations show that the tracking algorithm can achieve fine tracking resolution with low noise TDOA data. Lab experiments demonstrate the UWB tracking capability with fine resolution