UWB communication systems acquisition at symbol rate sampling for IEEE standard channel models

For ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, acquisition is challenging. The reason is from the ultra short pulse shape and ultra dense multipath interference. Ultra short pulse indicates the acquisition region is very narrow. Sampling is another challenge for UWB design due to the need for ultra high speed analog-to digital converter.A sub-optimum and under-sampling scheme using pilot codes as transmitted reference is proposed here for acquisition. The sampling rate for the receiver is at the symbol rate. A new architecture, the reference aided matched filter is studied in this project. The reference aided matched filter method avoids using complex rake receiver to estimate channel parameters and high sampling rate for interpolation. A limited number of matched filters are used as a filter bank to search for the strongest path. Timing offset for acquisition is then estimated and passed to an advanced verification algorithm. For optimum performance of acquisition, the adaptive post detection integration is proposed to solve the problem from dense inter-symbol interference during the acquisition. A low-complex early-late gate tracking loop is one element of the adaptive post detection integration. This tracking scheme assists in improving acquisition accuracy. The proposed scheme is evaluated using Matlab Simulink simulations in term of mean acquisition time, system performance and false alarm. Simulation results show proposed algorithm is very effective in ultra dense multipath channels. This research proves reference aided acquisition with tracking loop is promising in UWB application

UWB Localization Algorithms

[No abstract available

Performance Enhancement of Ultra Wideband WPAN using Narrowband Interference Mitigation Techniques

A new promising technique adopted by 4G community is ultra-wideband technology, which offers a solution for high bandwidth, high data rate, low cost, low power consumption, position location capability etc. A conventional type of UWB communication is impulse radio, where very short transient pulses are transmitted rather than a modulated carrier. Consequently, the spectrum is spread over several GHz, complying with the definition of UWB. Currently, the Rake receiver used for spread spectrum is considered a very promising candidate for UWB reception, due to its capability of collecting multipath components. Since UWB signals occupy such a large bandwidth, they operate as an overlay system with other existing narrowband (NB) radio systems overlapping with their bands. In order to ensure a robust communication link, the issue of coexistence and interference of UWB systems with current indoor wireless systems must be considered. Ultra Wideband technology with its application, advantages and disadvantages are discussed in detail. Design of UWB short pulse and a detail study IEEE 802.15.3a UWB channel models statistical characteristics have been analyzed through simulation. Simulation studies are performed and improved techniques are suggested for interference reduction in both Impulse Radio based UWB and Transmitted Reference type of UWB system. Modified TR-UWB receiver with UWB pulse design at transmitter end and notch filtering at receiver’s front end proved to be more efficient in single NBI, multiple NBI and WBI suppression. Extensive simulation studies to support the efficacy of the proposed schemes are carried out in the MATLAB. Bit error rate (BER) performance study for different data rates over different UWB channel models are also analyzed using proposed receiver models. Performance improvement of TR-UWB system is noticed using the proposed techniques

Position estimation for IR-UWB systems using compressive sensing

One major challenge in IR-UWB signal processing is the requirement of high sampling rate, which renders standard analog-to-digital converter (ADC) costly and even impractical. Compressive Sensing (CS) provides a solution to this problem by allowing to sample UWB signals at a rate significantly lesser than the Nyquist sampling limit.Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, thanks to its high time resolution, arises as an excellent candidate to provide accurate positioning information in cluttered environments. However, the dense multipath and strong attenuation of the Line-of-Sight (LOS) present in UWB channels poses additional challenges to positioning algorithms. Therefore, in this thesis we have mainly focused on designing an algorithm robust to these problems. Specifically, we have developed two different techniques based on a frequency domain receiver. The first one is based on a Direct Position Estimation (DPE) approach, that is, estimating the position directly from the observed signals, while the second is based on ?soft? two-steps approach, where more than one estimated Time of Arrival (TOA) is estimated on each anchor, then in the second stage the best estimators are used to find the position. Simulation results proof the accuracy of the proposed algorithms. Besides, the proposed methods have also been tested while using Compressive Sensing (CS). CS is a new sensing paradigm that allows compressing signals while they are being sampled, thus it allows to sample at a lower rather than the Nyquist limit.La tecnología Ultra-Wideband (UWB), gracias a su alta resolución temporal, se presenta como un candidato ideal per proporcionar información de la posición precisa en ambientes muy densos. Sin embargo, la gran concentración de propagación multi camino, así como la fuerte atenuación del camino de visión directa (LOS) característica de los canales UWB conlleva grandes dificultades a la hora de estimar la posición. Por esta razón, en esta tesis nos hemos centrado principalmente en diseñar algoritmos robustos a la problemática que presenten los canales UWB. Concretamente, hemos desarrollado dos técnicas basadas en un receptor en el dominio de la frecuencia. La primera está basada en una estimación directa de la posición (DPE) a partir de las señales recibidas, mientras que la segunda está basada en una estimación en dos etapas pero con la diferencia que en la primera etapa se proporcionen diversos estimadores del tiempo de vuelo (TOA) y en la segunda se seleccionen los mejores estimadores para estimar la posición. Los resultados de les simulaciones demuestran la precisión del los algoritmos propuestos. Además, los métodos propuestos también se han probado utilizando Compressive Sensing (CS). El CS es un nuevo paradigma en la teoría del muestreo que permite comprimir una señal al mismo tiempo que se está muestreando, permitiendo así muestrear per debajo del límite de Nyquist.La tecnologia Ultra-Wideband (UWB), gràcies a la seva alta resolució temporal, es presenta com un candidat ideal per proporcionar informació de la posició precisa en ambients molt densos. Tanmateix, la gran concentració de propagació multi camí, així com la forta atenuació del camí de visió directa (LOS) característica del canals UWB comporta grans dificultats a l?hora d?estimar la posició. Per aquesta raó, en aquesta tesis ens hem centrat principalment en dissenyar algoritmes robusts a la problemàtica que presenten els canals UWB. Concretament, hem desenvolupat dues tècniques basades en un receptor en el domini freqüencial. La primera està basada en una estimació directa de la posició (DPE) a partir dels senyals rebuts, mentre que la segona està basada en una estimació en dues etapes però amb la diferència que en la primera etapa es proporcionen diversos estimadors del temps de vol (TOA) i en la segona es seleccionen els millors estimadors per trobar la posició. Els resultats de les simulacions demostren la precisió dels algoritmes proposats. A més a més, els mètodes proposats també s?han provat fent servir Compressive Sensing (CS). CS és un nou paradigma en la teoria del mostreig que permet comprimir una senyal mentre s?està mostrejant, permetent així mostrejar per sota del límit de Nyquist

Contribution à la conception d'un système de radio impulsionnelle ultra large bande intelligent

Faced with an ever increasing demand of high data-rates and improved adaptability among existing systems, which inturn is resulting in spectrum scarcity, the development of new radio solutions becomes mandatory in order to answer the requirements of these emergent applications. Among the recent innovations in the field of wireless communications,ultra wideband (UWB) has generated significant interest. Impulse based UWB (IR-UWB) is one attractive way of realizing UWB systems, which is characterized by the transmission of sub nanoseconds UWB pulses, occupying a band width up to 7.5 GHz with extremely low power density. This large band width results in several captivating features such as low-complexity low-cost transceiver, ability to overlay existing narrowband systems, ample multipath diversity, and precise ranging at centimeter level due to extremely fine temporal resolution.In this PhD dissertation, we investigate some of the key elements in the realization of an intelligent time-hopping based IR-UWB system. Due to striking resemblance of IR-UWB inherent features with cognitive radio (CR) requirements, acognitive UWB based system is first studied. A CR in its simplest form can be described as a radio, which is aware ofits surroundings and adapts intelligently. As sensing the environment for the availability of resources and then consequently adapting radio’s internal parameters to exploit them opportunistically constitute the major blocks of any CR, we first focus on robust spectrum sensing algorithms and the design of adaptive UWB waveforms for realizing a cognitive UWB radio. The spectrum sensing module needs to function with minimum a-priori knowledge available about the operating characteristics and detect the primary users as quickly as possible. Keeping this in mind, we develop several spectrum sensing algorithms invoking recent results on the random matrix theory, which can provide efficient performance with a few number of samples. Next, we design the UWB waveform using a linear combination of Bsp lines with weight coefficients being optimized by genetic algorithms. This results in a UWB waveform that is spectrally efficient and at the same time adaptable to incorporate the cognitive radio requirements. In the 2nd part of this thesis, some research challenges related to signal processing in UWB systems, namely synchronization and dense multipath channel estimation are addressed. Several low-complexity non-data-aided (NDA) synchronization algorithms are proposed for BPSK and PSM modulations, exploiting either the orthogonality of UWB waveforms or theinherent cyclostationarity of IR-UWB signaling. Finally, we look into the channel estimation problem in UWB, whichis very demanding due to particular nature of UWB channels and at the same time very critical for the coherent Rake receivers. A method based on a joint maximum-likelihood (ML) and orthogonal subspace (OS) approaches is proposed which exhibits improved performance than both of these methods individually.Face à une demande sans cesse croissante de haut débit et d’adaptabilité des systèmes existants, qui à son tour se traduit par l’encombrement du spectre, le développement de nouvelles solutions dans le domaine des communications sans fil devient nécessaire afin de répondre aux exigences des applications émergentes. Parmi les innovations récentes dans ce domaine, l’ultra large bande (UWB) a suscité un vif intérêt. La radio impulsionnelle UWB (IR-UWB), qui est une solution intéressante pour réaliser des systèmes UWB, est caractérisée par la transmission des impulsions de très courte durée, occupant une largeur de bande allant jusqu’à 7,5 GHz, avec une densité spectrale de puissance extrêmement faible. Cette largeur de bande importante permet de réaliser plusieurs fonctionnalités intéressantes, telles que l’implémentation à faible complexité et à coût réduit, la possibilité de se superposer aux systèmes à bande étroite, la diversité spatiale et la localisation très précise de l’ordre centimétrique, en raison de la résolution temporelle très fine.Dans cette thèse, nous examinons certains éléments clés dans la réalisation d'un système IR-UWB intelligent. Nous avons tout d’abord proposé le concept de radio UWB cognitive à partir des similarités existantes entre l'IR-UWB et la radio cognitive. Dans sa définition la plus simple, un tel système est conscient de son environnement et s'y adapte intelligemment. Ainsi, nous avons tout d’abord focalisé notre recherché sur l’analyse de la disponibilité des ressources spectrales (spectrum sensing) et la conception d’une forme d’onde UWB adaptative, considérées comme deux étapes importantes dans la réalisation d'une radio cognitive UWB. Les algorithmes de spectrum sensing devraient fonctionner avec un minimum de connaissances a priori et détecter rapidement les utilisateurs primaires. Nous avons donc développé de tels algorithmes utilisant des résultats récents sur la théorie des matrices aléatoires, qui sont capables de fournir de bonnes performances, avec un petit nombre d'échantillons. Ensuite, nous avons proposé une méthode de conception de la forme d'onde UWB, vue comme une superposition de fonctions B-splines, dont les coefficients de pondération sont optimisés par des algorithmes génétiques. Il en résulte une forme d'onde UWB qui est spectralement efficace et peut s’adapter pour intégrer les contraintes liées à la radio cognitive. Dans la 2ème partie de cette thèse, nous nous sommes attaqués à deux autres problématiques importantes pour le fonctionnement des systèmes UWB, à savoir la synchronisation et l’estimation du canal UWB, qui est très dense en trajets multiples. Ainsi, nous avons proposé plusieurs algorithmes de synchronisation, de faible complexité et sans séquence d’apprentissage, pour les modulations BPSK et PSM, en exploitant l'orthogonalité des formes d'onde UWB ou la cyclostationnarité inhérente à la signalisation IR-UWB. Enfin, nous avons travaillé sur l'estimation du canal UWB, qui est un élément critique pour les récepteurs Rake cohérents. Ainsi, nous avons proposé une méthode d’estimation du canal basée sur une combinaison de deux approches complémentaires, le maximum de vraisemblance et la décomposition en sous-espaces orthogonaux,d’améliorer globalement les performances

Optimisation des performances de réseaux de capteurs dynamiques par le contrôle de synchronisation dans les systèmes ultra large bande

The basic concept of Impulse-Radio UWB (IR-UWB) technology is to transmit and receive baseband impulse waveform streams of very low power density and ultra-short duration pulses (typically at nanosecond scale). These properties of UWB give rise to fine time-domain resolution, rich multipath diversity, low power and low cost on-chip implementation facility, high secure and safety, enhanced penetration capability, high user capacity, and potential spectrum compatibility with existing narrowband systems. Due to all these features, UWB technology has been considered as a feasible technology for WSN applications. While UWB has many reasons to make it a useful and exciting technology for wireless sensor networks and many other applications, it also has some challenges which must be overcome for it to become a popular approach, such as interference from other UWB users, accurate modelling of the UWB channel in various environments, wideband RF component (antennas, low noise amplifiers) designs, accurate synchronization, high sampling rate for digital implementations, and so on. In this thesis, we will focus only on one of the most critical issues in ultra wideband systems: Timing Synchronization.Dans cette thèse nous nous sommes principalement concentrés sur les transmissions impulsion radio Ultra Large Bande (UWB-IR) qui a plusieurs avantages grâce à la nature de sa bande très large (entre 3.1GHZ et 10.6GHz) qui permet un débit élevé et une très bonne résolution temporelle. Ainsi, la très courte durée des impulsions émises assure une transmission robuste dans un canal multi-trajets dense. Enfin la faible densité spectrale de puissance du signal permet au système UWB de coexister avec les applications existantes. En raison de toutes ces caractéristiques, la technologie UWB a été considérée comme une technologie prometteuse pour les applications WSN. Cependant, il existe plusieurs défis technologiques pour l'implémentation des systèmes UWB. A savoir, une distorsion différente de la forme d'onde du signal reçu pour chaque trajet, la conception d'antennes très larges bandes de petites dimensions et non coûteuses, la synchronisation d'un signal impulsionnel, l'utilisation de modulation d'onde d'ordre élevé pour améliorer le débit etc. Dans ce travail, Nous allons nous intéresser à l'étude et l'amélioration de la synchronisation temporelle dans les systèmes ULB

Realization Limits of Impulse-Radio UWB Indoor Localization Systems

In this work, the realization limits of an impulse-based Ultra-Wideband (UWB) localization system for indoor applications have been thoroughly investigated and verified by measurements. The analysis spans from the position calculation algorithms, through hardware realization and modeling, up to the localization experiments conducted in realistic scenarios. The main focus was put on identification and characterization of limiting factors as well as developing methods to overcome them