UWB Impulse Radio Filtering and Ranging Without Extra Hardware
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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 the need for additional complex components like GPS or ultrasonic/laser range finding circuits, while maintaining robustness in noisy environments.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an N-path filter using a low precision clock source in combination with an energy detector within UWB receivers, allowing for synchronization and range calculation between UWB transceivers without requiring accurate carrier waves, and employing a method to determine the time of flight for range estimation using synchronized and unsynchronized transceiver pairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS or ultrasonic/laser range finding circuits are 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 components. The bi-directional time of flight measurement mechanism enables the transceiver to determine distance between devices without requiring separate ranging hardware, thus achieving multi-functionality and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own transmitted UWB signals for both communication purposes and range finding measurements. The transceiver measures the time of flight of its own signals reflected from or transmitted to other UWB devices, eliminating the need for external GPS or dedicated ranging circuits and reducing both complexity and power consumption
2Measurement precision
If GPS or ultrasonic/laser range finding circuits are added to achieve precise range finding, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB transceiver performs dual functions of communication and ranging using the same power-efficient UWB radio infrastructure. This eliminates the need for separate power-consuming GPS receivers or ultrasonic/laser ranging modules, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining precise range finding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages its own transmitted signals for ranging measurements through time of flight calculation. By using the already-transmitted UWB pulses for both communication data transmission and distance measurement, the system avoids the additional power consumption that would result from dedicated active ranging hardware
3Reliability
If conventional filtering methods are used in UWB receivers, then reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a polyphase filter bank structure that transforms the traditional filtering approach into a multi-channel frequency-domain processing system. This parameter change in filtering methodology enables more efficient signal separation and interference rejection, achieving reliable filtering performance with reduced computational complexity and lower power consumption in the receiver
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 achieve precise range finding and robust communication in noisy environments, eliminating the need for additional hardware and reducing power consumption, thus enhancing the feasibility of self-powered wireless sensor networks.
Implementation Method 1
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology is a wireless technology for the transmission of digital data as modulated coded impulses over a very wide frequency spectrum
Implementation Method 2
processing the received plurality of UWB pulse bundles upon the second UWB transceiver; synchronizing to a predetermined pulse within the UWB pulse bundles
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.