A novel UWB impulse-radio transmitter with all-digitally-controlled pulse generator

A novel transmitter for ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radio was developed. The proposed architecture realizes low power, low complexity, and generation of a highly accurate pulse. The phase and amplitude of a pulse are controlled separately and digitally to generate a highly accurate pulse. This control method also contributes to the transmitter´s low power and eliminates the need for a filter. The transmitter was fabricated by a 0.18-μm bulk CMOS process. The core chip size is only 0.40 mm². Measurement of this transmitter found that the FCC spectrum mask is satisfied and average power dissipation is 29.7 mW under a supply voltage of 2.2 V. These results show that the developed UWB transmitter can generate an accurate pulse with low power and low complexity.