Ultrawideband

Contents

Introduction
Why Ultrawideband
UWB Specifications
Why is UWB unique
Data Rates over
range
How it works
UWB Characteristics

Advantages of UWB
Comparison with
other technologies
Applications
Wireless USB
Challenges
Conclusion

Introduction
Technology for short range Wireless radio
communications
Bandwidth more than 25% of a center frequency OR a
bandwidth of atleast 500MHz Or more than 1.5 GHz
Different from conventional narrowband and wideband
systems

Why Ultrawideband
Crunch in RF spectrum availability
Variations in RF spectrum from one
country to next
Devices using RF Spectrum are more
complex, cost more, and consume more
power
3

Others and UWB

A significant difference between conventional radio
transmissions and UWB is that conventional systems
transmit information by varying the power level, frequency,
and/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
mainly used for radar based applications until now because
of the wideband nature of the signal that results in very
accurate timing information.
Implemented in a carrierless fashion
4

Others and UWB

UWB implementations can directly
modulate an impulse that has a very
sharp rise and fall time, thus resulting in a
waveform that occupies several GHz of
bandwidth

UWB Specifications
3.1 -10.6 GHz assigned by FCC
200 Mbps upto 10 meters
Limited transmit power of -41dbm/Mhz

Why is UWB unique?

Simultaneously low power, low cost high data-rate wireless
communications
Power consumption 1/10000 of that of cell phones
7.5 Ghz of free spectrum in the U.S.
FCC recently legalized UWB for commercial use
Spectrum allocation overlays existing users, but its allowed
power level is very low to minimize interference
Simple CMOS transmitters at very low power
Very high data rates possible
500 Mbps can be achieved at distances of 10 feet under
current regulations
7

Theoretical Data Rates Over Range

UWB shows significant throughput potential at short

range
8

How it works
Generation of extremely short digital pulses in the
subnanosecond range.
Uses and extremely wide band of RF spectrum to
transmit data

What is Ultra Wideband?

Radio technology that modulates impulse based waveforms instead of
continuous carrier waves

Narrowband
Communication

Ultrawideband
Communication

Time-domain behavior
Impulse
Modulation

Frequency-domain behavior

time

frequency

10 GHz

(FCC Min=500Mhz)

Frequency
Modulation
2.4

GHz

Ultra Wideband Characteristics

Extremely low transmission energy ( less than 1mW)

Extremely difficult to intercept
Short pulse excitation generates wideband spectra low energy densities
Low energy density also minimizes interference to other services
Multipath immunity
Commonality of signal generation and processing architectures
Radar
Inherent high precision sub-centimeter ranging
Wideband excitation for detection of complex, low RCS targets
Geolocation/Positioning
Sub-centimeter resolution using pulse leading edge detection
passes through building blocks, walls, etc. (LOS not required)
Low Cost
Nearly all-digital architecture
ideal for microminiaturization into a chipset
Frequency diversity with minimal hardware modifications

UWB Characteristics
Extremely low transmission energy ( less than 1mW)
Extremely difficult to intercept
Multipath immunity to fading(. However with UWB due to
very short pulses, the direct path has come and
processed before the reflected path arrives and no
cancellation occurs )

12

Advantages of UWB
Does not use the traditional radio frequency carriers
UWB is not line-of-sight
Reduced Cost vs. Current Wireless Technology
Channelization: Frequency sharing with other applications
Transmission of data in large bursts
Can trade-off throughput for distance
13

Comparison with other technologies

Faster than Bluetooth, Wi Fi

Data rate of 450Mbps instead of 1Mbps
Complementary to existing radio technologies like 802.11

14

UWB Applications
Replacing IEEE 1394 cables with wireless connectivity
No. 1 High quality wireless video
Accurate Ranging information
Radar and Imaging

15

Wireless USB
Wireless USB Promoter Group define
specifications
Backward Compatible
Targeted bandwidth 480 Mbps
Connection-level security
16

Challenges
Interference with other licensed bands
Tradeoffs with noise

17

Conclusion
Well suited for high speed, short range
WPAN
Supports multimedia data rates, and offers
inherent data security.
Dominant player if FCC lightens the
limitations
18