UWB Frequency Stitching With Capability-Based Retuning Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

UWB devices face challenges in efficiently retuning their transceivers between different UWB channels for accurate positioning and sensing due to gaps in RF signal transmission/reception, which can lead to inefficiencies in bandwidth and power usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing frequency domain stitching techniques that include capability-based gaps in RF signal transmissions to allow for seamless retuning of UWB transceivers, ensuring accurate and efficient positioning and sensing by aligning transmission/reception at different frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UWB devices perform frequency hopping with fast retuning to support operation on various frequency bands, then adaptability is improved, but retuning delay increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band adaptabilityVSAvoidretuning delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs retuning operations in advance during gap periods between RF signal transmissions. The transceiver is retuned to new frequencies before the next transmission window begins, ensuring frequency hopping is completed preliminarily without interrupting the main communication flow. This is implemented by determining capabilities for performing RF retuning during UWB sessions and configuring gap durations between transmissions to accommodate these preliminary retuning actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic frequency hopping with structured gap intervals between transmission bursts. Retuning operations are performed periodically during these predetermined gap periods, creating a rhythmic pattern of transmission-retuning-transmission. This periodic structure allows the system to systematically switch between frequency bands while maintaining predictable timing for both communication and retuning operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If gap duration is increased to allow for RF retuning between UWB channels, then retuning capability is improved, but bandwidth efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRF retuning capabilityVSAvoidbandwidth efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial retuning by determining the minimum necessary gap duration based on specific device capabilities and retuning requirements. Rather than using fixed excessive gap periods, the system calculates and applies only the sufficient gap time needed for the transceiver to retune between frequencies. This partial action approach ensures retuning capability is maintained while minimizing the impact on bandwidth efficiency by avoiding unnecessarily long gap periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Measurement precision

If frequency hopping is performed with multiple UWB channels, then sensing accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple UWB channel operations into coordinated transmission bursts followed by consolidated retuning periods. Instead of performing separate retuning operations for each frequency switch, the system combines multiple frequency transitions into structured bursts where retuning is performed during shared gap periods. This merging of operations reduces the cumulative overhead and power consumption associated with frequent individual retuning events while maintaining the benefits of multi-channel sensing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4487141B1Frequency stitching for UWB ranging and sensing
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4487141B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4487141B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4487141B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

In some implementations, a method may comprise determining capabilities of UWB initiator and responder devices related to at least one UWB session. The method may also comprise determining a gap duration based at least in part on the capabilities of the UWB initiator and responder devices for performing RF retuning during the at least one UWB session. The method may also comprise sending a configuration to the UWB initiator and/or responder devices, wherein the configuration is indicative of: a first period of time in the at least one UWB session during which a first portion of the UWB RF signals is transmitted using a first carrier frequency, a gap of at least the determined gap duration following the first period of time, and a second period of time, following the gap, during which a second portion of the UWB RF signals is transmitted using a second carrier frequency.