Experimental evaluation of UWB indoor positioning for indoor track cycling

Accurate radio frequency (RF)-based indoor localization systems are more and more applied during sports. The most accurate RF-based localization systems use ultra-wideband (UWB) technology; this is why this technology is the most prevalent. UWB positioning systems allow for an in-depth analysis of the performance of athletes during training and competition. There is no research available that investigates the feasibility of UWB technology for indoor track cycling. In this paper, we investigate the optimal position to mount the UWB hardware for that specific use case. Different positions on the bicycle and cyclist were evaluated based on accuracy, received power level, line-of-sight, maximum communication range, and comfort. Next to this, the energy consumption of our UWB system was evaluated. We found that the optimal hardware position was the lower back, with a median ranging error of 22 cm (infrastructure hardware placed at 2.3 m). The energy consumption of our UWB system is also taken into account. Applied to our setup with the hardware mounted at the lower back, the maximum communication range varies between 32.6 m and 43.8 m. This shows that UWB localization systems are suitable for indoor positioning of track cyclists

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

UWB wireless coexistence by fibre-based photonic ADC interference monitoring

The interference monitoring of UWB wireless picocell clusters through an in-house fibre installation is proposed and evaluated in a proof-of-concept experiment. UWB clusters enable range extension of UWB technology providing Gbit/s communications in home or office buildings. Coexistence of a large number of UWB clusters with other wireless services is guaranteed by a photonic analog-to-digital converter employing the in-house optical fiber installation

Localization in smart dust sensor networks

Our research goal is to design a robust localization system that offers good accuracy even in the harsh indoor and outdoor environments by handling problems in the physical layer. In this respect, localization based on ultra-wide band (UWB) technology with time-based ranging is a good candidate because of the fine delay resolution that is provided by UWB signals

Directive ultra wideband antenna for medical applications

Since the acceptance of unlicensed band of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology in the range between 3.1 and 10.6 GHz, the realization of low-cost UWB wireless systems is considered a fundamental research goal both for military and commercial applications. The possible use and benefits of UWB technology are significant among its potential applications, high-resolution radar and short-range ultra-high speed data transmission. However, one of the most critical challenging task of the UWB system is the designing of a compact size antenna that possess a good gain and high directivity. Thus, the aim of this project is to design and develop a directive and miniaturized antenna for UWB applications. The antenna is designed and fabricated on a Flame Retardant (FR4) laminated substrate with dielectric constant, ԑr of 4.3 and thickness of 1.6mm. Several numbers of antennas have been carried out throughout the completion of the project. Firstly, an antenna with slots on radiator has been designed. Subsequently, Ground Defected Structure (DGS) is implemented. For increasing bandwidth and impedance matching of the first antenna, thus an antenna with compact dimension of 25×45mm2 has been resulted. Finally, a reflector structure with the distance of 18mm is added for directivity and gain enhancement. The antenna with reflector has been fabricated using etching technique and being measured for the reflection coefficient. As the result, by applying reflector, the directivity and gain of the antenna has increased significantly, from 5.81dBi to 7.06dBi. This showed 21.52% gain improvement of the proposed antenna by implementing reflector. Therefore, the proposed antenna which has compact size and high gain is seen as a suitable candidate for the use of UWB applications

An N-bit digitally variable ultra wideband pulse generator for GPR and UWB applications

This paper presents a low-cost Ultra Wideband (UWB) pulse generator that can vary the pulse duration digitally by using a Step Recovery Diode (SRD), microstrip transmission lines and PIN diodes. First, a sharp edge is generated by using a SRD circuitry. Then a pulse is formed from the sharp edge through the use of transmission lines and the PIN diodes. Based on the number of transmission lines (N), the duration of the pulse can be varied in steps. The UWB pulse generator circuits are implemented on an FR-4 substrate using microstrip line technology and UWB pulses with durations of 550 to 2400 psec are measured. N2 Ke

UWB implementation and utilization in mPOS device

Abstract. This thesis investigates the possible implementation and utilization of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology in a handheld device that serves as a sales system. The basic information of UWB technology based on theory is introduced, such as history, benefits and challenges, current standards, and the most common use cases. The general requirements and the planned use cases for UWB technology are presented to narrow the scope of the thesis. The thesis covers status of the current suppliers of UWB components and reasonings of the selection of a UWB chip and antennas for this thesis. Measurements are performed with the UWB chip, the UWB antennas and the entire UWB system implementation to verify that the requirements are met, and the technology works as designed. Based on theory and measurement results, it is demonstrated that both the implementation and utilization of UWB in the handheld device with the desired characteristics can be done