Indoor positioning is, in many ways, an inside version of the satellite-navigation apps we rely on for outdoor navigation, but with an added twist – it can also be used to help locate people and things.
In this paper we present an overview on the development and standardization of ultra-wideband systems, technical aspects of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, and improvements made by the 802.15.4z amendment. We also explain the basic workings of a physical access system, the desired seamless access experience and how ultra-wideband technology can enable it. In addition, we briefly compare ultra-wideband to facial recognition access systems. We conclude by mentioning how ultra-wideband technology may extend to other related applications.
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology has the unique ability to deliver unprecedented accuracy and security when measuring the distance to a target or determining position, transforming the way people experience connectivity. Computerworld recently said that “One way to think of it is as a radar that can continuously scan an entire room and precisely lock on to an object like a laser beam to discover its location and communicate data.”
DECADES-OLD ULTRA-WIDEBAND TECHNOLOGY IS ENJOYING A RENAISSANCE IN SECURE ACCESS AND BEYOND
Like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, ultra-wideband (UWB) is a wireless technology that uses radio waves for communications. By operating at a very high frequency and using a wide spectrum, UWB outperforms other wireless technologies in terms of accuracy, robustness in wireless connectivity, and security.