Novel Ultra Wideband Low Complexity Ranging Using Different Channel Statistics

UWB technology can reach centimetre level ranging and positioning accuracy in LOS propagation when time of arrival techniques are used. However, in a real positioning system, this accuracy poses high demands on hardware. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of using UWB channel impulse response statistics, other than the TOA, for ranging applications, thus avoiding the costly synchronization between the system nodes. First, models for the total received signal power, for the first path power, and for the mean excess delay of the power delay profile are proposed, based on an extensive UWB measurement campaign conducted in typical office environments. The distance dependency of these statistics is analyzed. These models are subsequently used to obtain a best linear unbiased estimation of the distance. Finally, it is shown how the knowledge of the model of the described statistics, can be used to identify the environment in which the transmitter and receiver are operating. The achieved standard deviation of the range error is 0.35 m, about three times less than obtained with the classical signal strength estimation.