Narrowband Timing Circuitry for UWB Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UWB ranging systems face challenges in achieving precise distance measurement due to clock drift and imperfections in device synchronization, necessitating the use of expensive and power-intensive crystal oscillators.
Innovation Solution
Implementing narrowband (NB) carrier waves as timing signals for UWB communication, eliminating the need for crystal oscillator circuitry and enabling efficient, accurate system-wide synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If crystal oscillators are used for device synchronization in UWB ranging systems, then synchronization precision is improved, but device cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing function from the crystal oscillator by using a separate narrowband signaling channel to carry timing information. This allows the UWB device to eliminate or reduce the crystal oscillator circuitry while maintaining synchronization precision, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a narrowband signaling channel as an intermediary to transmit timing information between devices. This mediator carries the synchronization data that would otherwise require expensive crystal oscillators, enabling accurate timing without the power-intensive hardware.
2Measurement precision
If crystal oscillators are used for device synchronization in UWB ranging systems, then synchronization precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing function from the crystal oscillator by using a separate narrowband signaling channel to carry timing information. This allows the UWB device to eliminate or reduce the crystal oscillator circuitry while maintaining synchronization precision, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive crystal oscillators with cheaper narrowband signaling infrastructure. The timing information is transmitted through existing or simpler communication channels, eliminating the need for costly precision timing hardware in each UWB device.
3Device complexity
If narrowband carrier waves are used for timing signals, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization accuracy may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the timing signal transmission with the existing narrowband communication infrastructure. By combining timing information with data communication in the same narrowband channel, the system achieves accurate synchronization without adding separate complex timing hardware, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The narrowband signaling channel serves multiple functions: it carries both data communication and timing synchronization information. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated timing hardware, reducing device complexity while maintaining synchronization accuracy through the same communication infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and circuitries are provided for using a narrowband carrier wave to generate a timing signal in a ultra wideband device. In one example, an ultra-wideband (UWB) device includes a processor; a memory storing instructions for a ranging process, the instructions for execution by the processor and narrowband (NB) based timing circuitry. The NB based timing circuitry is configured to receive a NB carrier wave and generate a system clock signal. The UWB device includes a UWB transceiver configured to transmit UWB signals or receive UWB signals related and synchronized to the ranging process based on the system clock signal.