An impulse radio UWB transmitter for communication and precise localization

Abstract

This paper describes a monolithic integrated transmitter intended for impulse radio (IR) Ultra-wide band (UWB) indoor communication and indoor localization. The transmitter operates in the higher UWB band centered at 7.25 GHz and generates impulses with bandwidth of 2.08 GHz. Consequently, the transmitter utilizes for communication and ranging complete UWB band assigned for Europe. The average pulse repetition frequency of 56.64 MHz and a 3-bits pulse position modulation (8-PPM) provides data rates up to 169.92 MBit/sec. Additionally, the driver amplifier with a fast switchable current bias is introduced into the transmitter for power efficient operation. The switch-on time of the bias is equal to 8ns. Besides the communication capability, an advanced time-of-arrival measurement extension is implemented in the transmitter. It runs with the clock of 3.625 GHz and allows the distance measurements with an accuracy of 275 picoseconds (translates to ranging accuracy of approximately 8.3 cm).