Ultra-Wideband: An Emerging Technology for Wireless Communications

Ultra-wideband (UWB) radio signals employ the transmission of very short impulses of radio energy whose characteristic spectrum signature extends across a wide range of radio frequencies. Because UWB signals have high bandwidths and frequency diversity, they are particularly well suited for high-speed data communication in environments where multipath fading is likely.

This paper contains a description of UWB, of its relevant characteristics, and of its advantages with respect to other technologies for certain communications applications. Some of the techniques used to implement a high capacity, low cost spectrum efficient system, and some of the challenges facing the further development of this new technology, are also described.