UWB Receiver N-Path Filtering for Low-Power Range Finding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communication systems face challenges in achieving low power consumption and precise range finding without adding complexity or power consumption, particularly in noisy environments and applications requiring location or range finding capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an N-path filter using a low precision clock source in combination with an energy detector within a UWB receiver, allowing for synchronization and range calculation between UWB transceivers without the need for additional hardware like GPS or ultrasonic/laser range finding circuits, and employing a method that transmits and processes UWB pulse bundles to determine the time of flight for range estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional hardware like GPS or ultrasonic/laser range finding circuits is added to achieve precise range finding, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB transceiver is designed to perform both communication and range finding functions using the same hardware infrastructure. The time of flight measurement capability is integrated into the existing transceiver architecture, allowing a single device to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate dedicated range finding hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own transmitted UWB pulses to perform range finding by measuring the time of flight of the same signal used for communication. The transceiver leverages its inherent signal transmission capability to also perform distance measurement, eliminating the need for external ranging hardware.
2Measurement precision
If additional hardware like GPS or ultrasonic/laser range finding circuits is added to achieve precise range finding, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB transceiver is designed to perform both communication and range finding functions using the same hardware infrastructure. The time of flight measurement capability is integrated into the existing transceiver architecture, allowing a single device to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate dedicated range finding hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own transmitted UWB pulses to perform range finding by measuring the time of flight of the same signal used for communication. The transceiver leverages its inherent signal transmission capability to also perform distance measurement, eliminating the need for external ranging hardware.
3Use of energy by moving object
If N-path filter with low precision clock source and energy detector is used, then power consumption is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the detection parameter from amplitude-based to energy-based detection. By integrating the squared signal over time windows, the energy detector accumulates signal energy to make detection decisions, which provides robustness against noise and clock precision variations while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary signal energy accumulation through integration before making detection or ranging decisions. By pre-integrating the squared signal over defined time windows, the system prepares processed data that is more resilient to noise and timing variations, enabling accurate ranging even with low precision clock sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables low power consumption UWB systems to maintain precision in range finding and communication while reducing power usage and complexity, effectively addressing the need for robust communication in noisy environments without the need for additional hardware.
Implementation Method 1
filtering within a UWB receiver by providing an N-path filter employing a low precision clock source in combination with an energy detector
Implementation Method 2
providing an N-path filter employing a low precision clock source in combination with an energy detector
Implementation Method 3
transmits and processes UWB pulse bundles to determine the time of flight for range estimation
Data Source
AI summary
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology exploits modulated coded impulses over a wide frequency spectrum with very low power over a short distance for digital data transmission. Such UWB systems through their receivers may operate in the presence of interfering signals and should provide for robust communications. Accordingly, an accurate and sharp filter that operates at low power is required and beneficially one that does not require a highly accurate power heavy clock. Further, many UWB applications require location and/or range finding of other elements and it would therefore be beneficial to provide a UWB based range finding and/or location capability removing the requirement to add additional device complexity and, typically significant, power consumption.