Recent advances in UWB systems: theory and applications

Ultra-wideband (UWB) is an emerging in wireless technology for short-range communications. UWB systems have widely been adopted in many future wireless communication standards (e.g., ECAM-368, IEEE 15.4a, etc.). Due to the short duration of the UWB pulses, it is easier to engineer to extremely high data rates, and data rate can be readily traded for range by simply aggregating pulse energy per data bit using either simple integration or by coding techniques. Conventional orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) can also be used subject to the minimum bandwidth requirements of the regulations. High data rate UWB can enable wireless monitors, the efficient transfer of data from digital camcorders, wireless printing of digital pictures from a camera without the need for an intervening personal computer and the transfer of files among cell phone handsets and other handheld devices like personal digital audio and video players. UWB is used as a part of location systems and real time location systems. The precision capabilities combined with the very low power makes it ideal for certain radio frequency sensitive environments such as hospitals and healthcare. UWB is also used in “see-