UWB
Use imec’s high-precision and low-power UWB positioning and tracking technology to design your next-generation IoT products.
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.
Several technologies are available for this. But none beats ultra-wideband (UWB) when it comes to:
- speed and update rates
- accuracy and precision
- security against relay attacks
Ultra-wideband 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
On top of that, imec believes that UWB is capable of becoming a strong contender for applications that require high-rate data transfer at short distances with very low energy consumption. Such as smart glasses for AR/VR, and neuroscientific research. Read the press release on imec’s UWB transmitter chip.
Want to develop a product or service that relies on compact and ultra-low power UWB technology? You’re welcome to build on imec’s ultra-wideband technology IP and support.
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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-wideband technology on a standard CMOS platform. This results in UWB chips that can be cost-effectively mass-produced. And you can easily integrate them 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 ultra-wideband IP in wireless positioning and tracking technology
Do you want to speed up the integration of advanced ultra-wideband technology in your product or service? Then imec is happy to support you in three ways:
- design on demand – Rely on our top researchers and advanced infrastructure for your custom R&D into ultra-wideband technology.
- insight partnership – Get previews of our latest developments via regular concept and prototype demonstrations.
- whitebox silicon IP licensing and technology transfer – Tune our hardware and software IP to your needs, with support from our experts.
Ultra-wideband technology portfolio
We offer 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
