ULTRA WIDEBAND TECHNOLOGY
CISC Semiconductor has done a considerable amount of research on UWB technology so far, especially on low complexity transceiver architectures for active RFID systems and sensor networks. A special focus of this research is on experimentally verified simulation models. The simulation models focus on the physical layer of the IEEE 802.15.4a standard and are able to satisfy the new regulations for the UWB utilization according to the FCC and European regulations. The simulation models are experimental (measurements) verified and are used to verify the capabilities of the standard in positioning and communication.
UWB SIGNAL GENERATOR
The UWB Signal Generator also called demonstrator is generating signals according to the IEEE 802.15.4a standards in order to allow to measure UWB signal propagation for distance and position evaluation.
The UWB Demonstrator System is a modular system, which has been developed for ranging and positioning experiments. The central element of the system is an FPGA, which implements the signalling schemes defined by the IEEE 802.15.4a standard. In order to keep high flexibliity, the data processing is held offline. The receiver and ranging algorithms are implemented in software. Measurements have been performed in LOS and NLOS scenarios of outdoor, industrial, office, and residential environments using the demonstrator.
System Characteristics
- Time difference of arrival (TDoA)
- Accuracy <30cm
- Offline processing
- For high flexibility and measurement collection
- International Standards
- IEEE 802.15.4a / IEEE 802.15.4f
- Modular structure with high performance laboratory equipment used as reference system
The UWB signal generator is provided in a metal industrial case with all RF inputs and outputs visible on the front panel. The UWB signal generator delivers an output signal in order to test IEEE 802.15.4a and IEEE 802.15.4f based positioning. The carrier frequency is 3.9936 GHz with a bandwidth of 499.2 MHz. Tchip is 2.0032 ns. The UWB RTLS signal generator is the core module of the test setup. This opened picture shows all its core elements. General purpose measurement antennas were used for the TX channel and the RX channels. The full test setup shows the UWB Signal Generator including filters, antennas and a digital storage oscilloscope (DSO). The DSO is triggered by the UWB signal generator and captures are signal from all receive channels.
CISC Semiconductors’ UWB (ultra-wideband) Positioning Simulator is a demonstrator system, which enables real-time locating and positioning of active RFID tags in multi-path intensive environments, e.g. like offices, industrial, and residential areas. The video features a short introduction of the UWB Signal Generator and the UWB Positioning Simulator. It demonstrates how it is used for the development, evaluation and testing of indoor positioning with active RFID / RTLS tags.
The simulator is suitable for a positioning system based on UWB pulses. It is used to explore the possibilities of the IEEE 802.15.4a standards in order to estimate the coordinates of a transmitter. The simulator can include experimental data out of the measurements and analytical models. The simulator is based on a novel uniqe simulation scheme which allows the use of current measurements in the virtual environments.The pictures below show examples of simulation results for the energy detector and the coherent receiver respectivly. (Click on the pictures for larger view)
