A short-range, wireless communication protocol like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, that operates through radio waves is called Ultra-wideband (UWB). It is used to capture highly accurate spatial and directional data and operates at very high frequencies ( a broad spectrum of microwave frequencies) .

As a continuously scanning radar, UWB can precisely look onto an object and communicate with it by discovering its location.

What Is UWB?

Like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, it is a short-range wireless communication protocol. Radio waves of short pulses over a spectrum of frequencies ranging from 3.1 to 10.5 GHz are used by Ultra-wideband (UWB) in many applications that are unlicensed. Bandwidth (BW) with frequency larger or equal to 500 MHz is termed as Ultra-wideband (UWB).  

How does UWB work?

The device starts ranging (Ranging refers to calculating the time of flight (ToF) between devices: the roundtrip time of challenge/response packets),Once a UWB-enabled device like a smartphone, smartwatch, smart key or tile is near another UWB device.

UWB achieves greater accuracy by using 500MHz (larger channel bandwidth) with short pulses (two nanoseconds each). The UWB-enabled devices can understand both motion and relative position with the help of UWB positioning process which tracks the device’s movements instantaneously in real-time.

How is UWB different from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth?

Usually, when we think about wireless connectivity technology, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi come to mind which lack the radio frequency security available with UWB, accuracy and positioning capabilities. UWBs’ ranging is far superior than most wireless connectivity technologies.

Away from congested bands clustered around 2.4GHz, UWB operates in a separate section of the radio spectrum. Added portion of the physical layer, used to send and receive data packets, is one of UWB’s most significant advantages. 

The Advantages of Ultra-Wideband Technology

Superior indoor performance over traditional narrow-band systems is enabled by the very wide bandwidth of UWB signals.

  • Very fine time-space resolutions for highly accurate indoor positioning enabled by the wide bandwidth provide immunity against the channel effect in a dense environment.
  • The low spectral density, below environmental noise, increases the security of communication and ensures a low probability of signal detection andHigh data rates can be transmitted over a short distance using UWB.
  • UWB systems can co-exist with already-deployed narrowband systems.