A low-complexity noncoherent IR-UWB transceiver architecture with TOA estimation

• Published in: IEEE transactions on microwave theory and techniques Vol. 54; no. 4; pp. 1637 - 1646
• Main Authors: Stoica, L., Rabbachin, A., Oppermann, I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01-04-2006; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Channels; Circuit testing; Computer simulation; Data communication; Energy measurement; Frequency; Impulse-radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB); Noise levels; noncoherent low-complexity transceiver architecture; Performance evaluation; Position measurement; Receivers; RF front-end; SiGe BiCMOS; Silicon germanides; Silicon germanium; Studies; tag networks; Time of arrival estimation; time-of-arrival (TOA) estimation; Transceivers; Ultra wideband technology; Ultrawideband
• ISSN: 0018-9480; 1557-9670
• DOI: 10.1109/TMTT.2006.872056

Impulse-radio (IR)-based ultra-wideband (UWB) technology is a strong candidate for short-range data communication and positioning systems. This paper examines the performance of time-of-arrival (TOA) position estimation techniques as well as the simulated and measured performances of an IR-UWB noncoherent energy-collection receiver. The noncoherent IR-UWB transceiver has been designed for operation over the frequency range 3.1-4.1 GHz and implemented in 0.35-/spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS technology. The performance of two different algorithms, namely, the threshold-crossing and the maximum selection (MAX) algorithms, are compared in terms of TOA estimation error in Saleh Valenzuela channel model 3 and channel model 4. The implemented structure of the TOA MAX algorithm suitable for IR-UWB-based noncoherent receivers is presented. A UWB testbed has been constructed in order to test and measure the transmitted waveform as well the receiver performances. The simulated receiver noise figure is 7.3 dB while the receiver gain is 34 dB. The TOA MAX algorithm can achieve /spl plusmn/5-ns positioning accuracy for 95% of cases. Constant transconductance tuning circuits for improved TOA estimation reliability are also presented.