A differential detector for an ultra-wideband communications system

TLDR

Ultra‑wideband systems deliver high data rates and superior multipath resolution, yet they suffer from timing, synchronization, and correlation complexity. The study proposes a differential detector that captures multipath energy while easing stringent implementation demands. The authors evaluate the detector’s performance and implementation, comparing it to a RAKE receiver with a correlator detector under AWGN and multipath conditions. The comparison evaluates the differential detector against a RAKE receiver with a correlator detector in AWGN and multipath environments.

Abstract

Systems using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology have been shown to achieve very high data rates (100 Mbps and above) for short-range, indoor applications. UWB signals exhibit a number of performance advantages in terms of multipath resolution and fading reduction. However, UWB systems can also exhibit significant implementation complexity in timing, synchronization, and signal correlation. This paper presents a differential detector that rakes in some of the multipath energy, while relaxing some of the stringent implementation requirements. We analyze the performance and the implementation of the differential detector, and compare it to a RAKE receiver with a correlator detector in the presence of AWGN and multipath.