Ultra-wide band (UWB) technology

In many IoT applications, it’s crucial that devices are spatially aware: we need to know their position and movement – in a two- or three-dimensional space.

Although several technologies are available for this, none beats ultra-wide band (UWB) when it comes to:

• speed and update rates
• accuracy and precision
• security against relay attacks

Ultra-wide band technology has been around for a long time. However, there is now a surge of interest in UWB because of its ideal match with advanced applications such as:

• secure access and secure keyless entry
• high-precision distance measurement
• indoor positioning and tracking
• VR/AR
• secure mobile payments

If you want to develop a product or service that relies on compact and ultra-low power UWB positioning and tracking, you’re welcome to build on imec’s ultra-wide band technology IP and support.

Work with us

Next-generation ultra-wide band technology

As a leading R&D hub in nano- and digital technology, imec has a track record of more than fifteen years in UWB technology. We participate in various UWB standardization bodies and industry consortia, such as the, IEEE, CCC, ETSI and FCC. And we're a member of the FiRa consortium, which is dedicated to the development and adoption of user experiences using interoperable UWB technologies.

Imec builds its ultra-wide band technology on a standard CMOS platform. This results in UWB chips that can be cost-effectively mass-produced and which you can easily integrate with other chip components.

Additionally, our UWB impulse radio (IR) technology excels because of a power consumption that is ten times lower than the state of the art. Our UWB positioning and tracking algorithms achieve cm-accuracy in challenging environments.

In February 2021, imec showcased the world’s first sub-5mW, IEEE 802.15.4z ultra-wideband transmitter chip. Check out the press release.

Use our UWB IP in wireless positioning and tracking technology

Do you want to speed up the integration of advanced ultra-wide band technology in your product or service? Then imec is happy to support you in three ways:

1. design on demand – Rely on our top researchers and advanced infrastructure for your custom R&D into ultra-wide band technology.
2. insight partnership – Get previews of our latest developments via regular concept and prototype demonstrations.
3. whitebox silicon IP licensing and technology transfer – Tune our hardware and software IP to your needs, with support from our experts.

Our ultra-wide band technology portfolio contains a wide range of hardware and software IP, such as:

• UWB positioning and tracking algorithms that achieve cm-accuracy in challenging environments
• secure distance bounding protocols for the prevention of relay attacks
• analog and digital IC designs, layout databases and test benches of wireless transceivers and building blocks
• proof-of-concept integrated circuit implementations and demonstrators
• antenna designs

Are you interested in working with us? Or do you have any questions?

Get in touch