UWB Receiver N-Path Filtering for Low-Power Ranging
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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 a UWB receiver, allowing for synchronization and range calculation between UWB transceivers through synchronized pulse bundles and energy integration windows, eliminating the requirement for accurate carrier waves and additional hardware.
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 allows the system to determine distance between devices while maintaining robustness in noisy environments, eliminating the need for separate GPS or ultrasonic/laser range finding circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own transmitted UWB signals to perform range finding by measuring the time of flight of the signals between transceivers. This self-service approach allows the communication system to simultaneously determine distance without requiring external dedicated ranging hardware, thereby reducing device complexity and power consumption
2Measurement precision
If additional complex components like GPS or ultrasonic/laser range finding circuits are added, then range finding capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UWB transceiver performs both communication and range finding using the same hardware, allowing the system to determine distance through bi-directional time of flight measurement without requiring additional power-hungry components like GPS receivers or dedicated ultrasonic/laser ranging circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines range by measuring the time of flight of its own transmitted UWB signals between transceivers. This self-service mechanism enables the communication system to simultaneously perform ranging at minimal additional power cost, avoiding the need for external dedicated ranging hardware that would increase power consumption
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 filtering precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a low precision clock source that does not require high stability or accuracy, accepting that the clock will drift over time but compensating through continuous synchronization. This approach significantly reduces power consumption compared to using high precision oscillators, while the energy detector maintains sufficient filtering accuracy for UWB signal detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the filter by using an N-path filter structure with low precision clocking and energy detection. This parameter change allows the system to achieve adequate filtering performance for UWB signals while consuming significantly less power than traditional high precision filtering approaches would require
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 perform accurate range finding and communication with reduced complexity and power consumption, maintaining robustness in noisy environments without the need for additional hardware, thus enhancing the feasibility of self-powered wireless sensor networks.
Implementation Method 1
an energy detector within a UWB receiver, allowing for synchronization and range calculation between UWB transceivers through synchronized pulse bundles and energy integration windows
Implementation Method 2
range calculation between UWB transceivers through synchronized pulse bundles
Implementation Method 3
calculating the time of flight in dependence upon the elapsed time of the first timer and determining a range between the first UWB transceiver and second UWB transceiver
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.