Ultra Wideband Tutorial: Technologies and Applications

Dong Sam Ha: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. (TEL) (540) 231-4942 (FAX) (540) 231-3362 (E-Mail) ha@vt.edu (URL) http://www.ee.vt.edu/ha

Abstract

Although ultra wideband (UWB) technology has deep roots in military applications, interest in UWB has exploded since the FCC's allocation of a spectrum for UWB in February of 2002. Compared with traditional narrowband communication systems, UWB has several advantages such as high data rate, low radiated power, and simple RF circuits. Many of these potential advantages are a direct consequence of UWB’s large instantaneous bandwidth, which is on the order of several GHz. Unlike narrowband systems, UWB has both communications and radar capabilities. The unique characteristics of UWB offer a variety of applications such as wireless home networking, sensor network communications, through-the-walls sensing, ground penetrating radar, medical imaging, precise position location for inventory tracking, collision avoidance systems for automobiles, surveillance, and planetary exploration. It is expected that this technology will be the next driving force in the continuing wireless communications revolution. The tutorial will cover basics for UWB communications including current IEEE standardization activities for high data rate (802.15.3a) and low data rate (802.15.4a) UWB systems.

Short Biography

Dong Sam Ha: Dr. Dong Sam Ha received a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1974 from Seoul National University in Korea. He received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, in 1984 and 1986, respectively. Upon his graduation, he joined Virginia Tech and is currently a full professor with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. From January to June of 2003, he was on leave to Freescale (formerly XtremeSpectrum), which is a leading company in high data rate UWB chip development. During the stay with Freescale, his work involved UWB system design and low-power design of the baseband signal processing.

His main research interest is low-power VLSI design for wireless communications, and current research projects include UWB for communications and ranging, development of third generation modem chips, and smart antennas at handsets. His UWB research activities include low-power CMOS UWB radios, UWB radios for RFID, energy efficient wireless ad hoc and sensor networks, and accurate UWB ranging for asset location and wireless sensor networks. He is Director of VISC (Virginia Tech Information Systems Center) and the supervisor of the VTVT (Virginia Tech VLSI for Telecommunications) group.