1. Ultra Wideband Technology
T Research Seminar on Telecommunications Business II
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

2. Segmentation of Wireless Solutions 1/2
PAN
Device networks
< 10 m
Bluetooth
                     
WLAN
Computer networks
Indoor < 60 m
Outdoor < 200 m
IEEE a/b/g/h
HiperLAN2
TCP/IP
Speaker: Olli-Pekka
In order position UWB against other wireless technologies, we tried to figure out possible competing and complementing technologies. Competing technologies fall in two categories, Personal Area Networks and Wireless Local Area Networks.
These categories have similar range properties but significantly differ from each other what comes to usage. As an example, we see wireless GSM handset and accompanying Bluetooth –based hands free set, here. As we have seen here, in Helsinki University of Technology, Wireless LANs are used for computer networks. TCP/IP is a most dominant protocol family in upper layers and services built on it are a driving force.
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

3. Segmentation of Wireless Solutions 2/2
vs.
Ultra Wideband
OFDM
Bluetooth
HiperLAN2
IEEE a/b/g/h
UMTS
Speaker: Olli-Pekka
We can group compared technologies by their all-inclusiveness. Ultra Wideband and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing are basic technologies, that is, they can be classified as transmission technologies. Bluetooth, Wireless LANs and UMTS, for example, are full-blown systems with medium access methods and upper layer services.
It means that the direct comparison between these two classes will be impossible. Ultra Wideband and OFDM can be seen as technological foundation or core component of usable solutions but they are not directly available as products. Hence, the metaphor “comparing apples against oranges”.
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

4. Introduction to UWB 1/4 F  Extremely short pulses in the time domain
- Technology -
Extremely short pulses in the time domain
Large bandwidth in the frequency domain
Fractional bandwidth=(fH-fL)/fC> 25%
or total bandwidth > 1,5 GHz
Speaker: Ari
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) defines bandwidth of the UWB to
be morethan 25 % of center frequency (this ratio is know as Fractional Bandwidth)
or more than 1,5 GHz. Wtih narrownband systems Fractional bandwidth
usually less than 1 %.
-UWB is based on sending extremely short pulses in time domain. Usually single pulse lasts couple hundred
pico seconds. With simple Fourier transformationthe frequency band used can be derived: In frequency domain signal occupies band of 2-3GHZ, but even more wider bandwidhts can be achieved.
- Usually UWB is implemented in ”carrierless” fashion. Narrowband systems use countinuos carrier wave
F 
Amplitude
Amplitude S
time / s
frequency / Hz B
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

5. Introduction to UWB 2/4 - Technology- PROS High data rates
Low transmission power
Multipath immunity
Simple implementation, low cost
CONS
Short operating ranges
Interference with other licensed, ”narrowband” systems
Speaker: Ari
-With UWB data rates even up to 1 Gbps can be achieved, but data rates of 500 Mbps
are presently more realistic.
-Due to a large frequency band used, UWB must use low trasmission power so
it can coexist with presently existing RF-standards and systems.
-Due to a impulse nature of the signal, and therefore due to strict time window where pulse is sent,
UWB is very robust against multipath propagation.
Multipath immunity:
Time-gated detector can excise delayed returns – time separation
What comes to implementation, extreme antenna bandwidth requirements are yet to be resolved,
Due to a much lower trasmit power spectral density compared to ”narrowband” services,
UWB’s effective operating range is limited down to 10 meters.However, operating range can be
increased by trading Pulse Repetion Frequency (PRF)( .i.e frequency of often single pulse is sent,)
and emitted power. Decreasing PRF and increasing emitted power , though, leads to decreased data throughput
Existing ”narrowband” systems propably cause interference to UWB receiver. Because of this
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

6. Introduction to UWB 3/4
- Regulations -
FCC approved the sale of UWB products in the United States under certain limits in February 2002
UWB devices are allowed to work on very low power levels to avoid interference
ETSI is working on proposal in Europe
Speaker: Ari
-Due to the wideband nature of UWB emissions, it could potentially interfere with other licensed bands in
the frequency domain if left unregulated. That why FCC has taken set forward to set ground rules for UWB
communication.
- Among the industry there has been concern about interference with existing radio ”narrowband” transmissions
-UWB proponents believe that UWB pulses will not cause interference with these other applications. because the pulses continuously change frequencies. and operate at low power levels.
-When UWB was first proposed, the U.S. Department of Defense was quick to raise concerns about the integrity of the GPS (Global Positioning System). The FCC spent two years evaluating tests of its proposed UWB authorization and concluded there will be no interference.
-ETSI is preparing an European standard about UWB under category Short-Range Devices (SRD). The standard is currently in draft phase.
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

7. Introduction to UWB 4/4 Automotive collision-detection systems
- Applications -
Automotive collision-detection systems
Medical imaging
Through-wall imaging
Ground-penetrating radar
Communications devices
Cable replacement (USB, Firewire)
Speaker: Ari
TO BE UPDATED
Current applications:
If the FCC relaxes its rules in the future, a wide range of wireless data communications devices could become available, such as wireless networks with far greater bandwidth than existing technologies like Bluetooth, a and b. The FCC's current rules (issued on February 14, 2002) allow only the following:
Automotive collision-detection systems and suspension systems that respond to road conditions.
Medical imaging, similar to X-ray and CAT scans.
Through-wall imaging for detecting people or objects in law-enforcement or rescue applications.
Construction applications, including through-wall imaging systems and ground- penetrating radar.
Communications devices, such as high-speed home or office networking, provided that the devices are designed for indoor use; outdoor use is restricted to handheld devices engaged only in peer-to-peer operation.
Primarily UWB systems must operate in frequecy band between 3-10 GHz.
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

8. Companies Xtreme Spectrum (Trinity chipset)
Philips (chipsets for IEEE a)
Mitsubishi Electric (development of UWB channel model)
Cisco, Intel and Motorola
Speaker: Ari
XtremeSpectrum: Ultrawideband (UWB) chipmaker XtremeSpectrum showed off its Trinity chipset at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in a wireless, multi-stream high definition television (HDTV) demonstration, and announced that it has been issued a patent for its UWB technology. (the first time any system has wirelessly streamed multiple HDTV signals)
Philips, working together with General Atomics research company, announced that they are developing UWB-chipsets for upcoming IEEE a WLAN standard, which will be used to build wireless networks primarily in home environments enabling RF-communication between home electronics and computers
Mitsubishi:Proposing a multipath model of the UWB indoor channel for the use in the standardization process of the UWB channel model (IEEE )
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

9. Complementing and Competing Technologies
GSM, GPRS, EDGE and UMTS are complementing due to their superior mobility compared to others
Wired solutions are always required as backbones
Most probable competitors are Bluetooth, IEEE and HiperLAN2
Speaker: Olli-Pekka
Ultra Wideband technology will not compete with every other wireless or mobile technology. Which ones are those that complement it, then?
GSM, GPRS, EDGE and UTMS have far greater coverage and they offer roaming that can still be considered quite unique feature. They are targeted to true converging applications while UWB seems to have pure data background. At the same time they do not offer as high throughput than UWB.
As we have learned mobile or wireless systems are actually a part of wired infrastructure and replace cables only in the last hop.
Our opinion is that competitors will be Bluetooth, today’s Wireless LANs and HiperLAN2. Actually, HiperLAN2 may not have any chances to challenge today’s Wireless LANs and UWB. Wireless LANs have extremely strong market position and they offer transition path similar to Ethernet.
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

10. Three Scenarios 1/3 PAN: Bluetooth WLAN: IEEE 802.11
UWB gains popularity in small segments like automobile collision detection and wall-through radars
 UWB remains as marginal technology
Speaker: Olli-Pekka
This is our most modest scenario. Most market research companies are betting superior future for UWB compared to this one. We are quite sure that today’s Wireless LANs have so strong position that it is extremely difficult to replace them with other technology. Why to implement yet an other technology when existing one offers the most wanted features? The series of IEEE specifications allow users to upgrade and expand networks when needed.
The survival of Bluetooth is more questionable.
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

11. Three Scenarios 2/3 PAN: UWB replaces Bluetooth
WLAN: UWB and IEEE co-exist
Transition to HDTV in USA opens totally new market that benefits UWB. CATV operators exploit this opportunity.
 UWB is widely used where it is best
Speaker: Olli-Pekka
This scenario is the most probable, I think. The big bet is on High Definition TV replacements within few years in USA. If TV sets are connected to Cable TV service terminals and video recorders via wireless links and Cable TV operators start delivering Internet access through this multifunction Cable TV network edge terminal then UWB starts to fly.
Cable replacement what comes to Universal Serial Bus and Firewire belongs to this scenario.
The timeframe for this scenario is
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

12. Three Scenarios 3/3 PAN: UWB replaces Bluetooth
WLAN: UWB replaces IEEE
Integration with IEEE framing and IP succeeds. New product that combine mobile networks and UWB hit the market.
 UWB becomes a major solution for short range wireless services
Speaker: Olli-Pekka
The last scenario is really bold. We have put a condition here. In order to drain the whole casino, the seamless integration with upper layer protocols is needed including successes in earlier scenarios. Actually, this scenario means that from user point of view, growth path of existing Wireless LANs continues but the underlaying transmission system is replaced with UWB.
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

13. Market Estimates 19.03.2003 Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB Speaker: Ari
Market research company Allied Business Intelligence has estimated that 45 million UWB chips will be shipped at The value of trade would be about 1.4 billion euros at that time.
According to In-Stat/MDR, the high-tech market research firm, UWB will begin penetrating the home market in late 2003, and increasingly grow its share of the home wireless market, although x technology will dominate the market throughout The earliest glimpse of future UWB-enabled devices was revealed to be at the January 2003 Consumer Electronics Show, with actual end-products shipping out in time for the 2003 Christmas holiday season.(In-Stat/MDR. The high-tech market research firm)
Only a small number of shipments of nodes embedded in commercial home end-products are expected in 2003, with shipments gaining momentum in 2004 and beyond. Annual UWB node shipments are not expected to comprise more than 5% of the total wireless home market through 2006.(In-Stat/MDR)
The first UWB end-products will be designed for the PAN (Personal Area Network) environment, and will have speeds around 100 Mbps, and a range of 10 m. XtremeSpectrum hopes to have its chipsets shipping to OEMs in 2H 2002, with the first consumer end-products shipping out in the Christmas 2003 time frame, from the likes of consumer electronic and set-top box companies. Other UWB companies planning to enter the home networking market include Time Domain and General Atomics.(In-Stat/MDR)
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

14. Links Ultra Wideband Working Group http://www.uwb.org/
Federal Communications Commission
European Telecommunications Standardisation Organisation
Jupitermedia Corp. UWB News
Speaker: Olli-Pekka
Here are some links for further studies.
UWB Working Group site is limited but contains extensive list of people interested in or working with UWB technology.
FCC site has lots of documents and links covering all aspects of communications. It might be difficult to find out information. Please note that individual people have greater role in an American government than in it’s European counterpart.
A good mix of industry news and articles is available through ultrawidebandplanet.com that is a part of internet.com sites.
I also recommend to visit WiMedia Alliance site ( for more information about upcoming IEEE standard and efforts on Personal Area Networks.
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB

15. Thank you for your attention Be free to ask questions
Speaker: Olli-Pekka
I hope that you have enjoyed this little presentation. I am sure that meny interesting aspects were left off but it is natural due to limited time. I hope that we can answer your questions and lear more ourselves, too.
Haapaniemi, Isola: UWB