UWB Modules

The functionality of a UWB transmitter revolves around emitting billions of pulses (formerly recognized as "pulse radio") across an expansive frequency spectrum. Subsequently, a corresponding receiver deciphers these pulses into usable data by identifying a recognizable pulse sequence transmitted by the emitter. These pulses are dispatched at a rate of approximately one every two nanoseconds, contributing to UWB's capacity for real-time precision.

UWB exhibits remarkable energy efficiency, while its substantial bandwidth of 500MHz renders it well-suited for transmitting substantial amounts of data from a central device to peripheral ones, covering distances of up to around 30 feet. Nevertheless, unlike Wi-Fi, UWB does not excel in propagating through obstacles such as walls.

UWB Anchors have stationary, predetermined positions registered within the positioning system. They receive signals emitted by UWB Tags. Multiple UWB Anchors capture signals from a single UWB Tag. The system records the time it takes for the signal to travel from the Tag to the Anchor (referred to as Time-of-Flight).

GPS functions as a satellite-oriented navigation system, enabling the determination of a lost item's location over extended distances. On the other hand, UWB, a more recent wireless communication technology, utilizes an expansive bandwidth to furnish precise location details for items that have been misplaced in close proximity.

UWB offers a data-transfer capability with an effective range of up to 25 meters, outperforming its competitor Bluetooth technology, which provides an effective range of only approximately 10 meters.

The successful implementation of UWB radar technology hinges on how UWB signals propagate through walls. These signals experience not only attenuation but also distortion due to the dispersive characteristics of the walls when passing through them.

UWB's precision is restricted to short distances, imposing a limitation on its capacity to be applied across a wider range of scenarios.

UWB systems exhibit the capacity to monitor a greater quantity of tagged assets across extended distances with heightened precision in comparison to Wi-Fi-based systems. While a Wi-Fi-based Real-Time Location System (RTLS) might ascertain the presence of your assets within a designated room, UWB systems excel in providing precise location details within that room for each individual asset.

Ultra-wideband, often referred to as UWB, ultrawide band, or ultraband, constitutes a short-range wireless communication protocol that harnesses radio waves to facilitate seamless device-to-device communication. While bearing a resemblance to Bluetooth, UWB surpasses it in terms of precision, dependability, and efficiency.

UWB, an abbreviation for Ultra Wide Band, functions as a concise wireless communication protocol for tracking object locations over short distances. Its operation involves pinpointing positions with ~5cm accuracy by gauging the time it takes for brief radio pulses to traverse between two devices.

fira is the industry consortium that defines the UWB ranging specification and  certifies products for the purposes of interoperability. The name stands for "fine ranging".

There are various levels of fira membership as listed at the link below

membership levels

Laird Connectivity is an adopter member of fira.

fira membership is required to access specifications (fira intellectual property) and to certify end products.

Laird Connectivity is committed to the long-term supply of all its standard embedded wireless modules and packaged products. Laird Connectivity’s products are specifically designed to meet the needs of the industrial and medical markets, which typically require 7 – 10 years product lifecycle. Although Laird Connectivity can’t guarantee that a component used in our products will not be obsoleted and cannot be reasonably substituted, Laird Connectivity can assure customers we will continue to sell our product when we have customer demand and can obtain the necessary components to build our products.

View our full policy here.