Pulse detection algorithm for line-of-sight (LOS) UWB ranging applications

Abstract

This paper presents an algorithm for precise determination of the distance between a pair of transmitting and receiving antennas using FCC conforming ultra-wideband (UWB) pulses. Indoor line-of-sight (LOS) measurements up to 24 m were conducted at Research Technoplaza, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The proposed algorithm is developed using Matlab to post process the captured waveform. Significant improvement of accuracy is observed in determining the time of flight using a combination of match filtering and peak search technique, achieving centimeter level accuracy. Ranging results show a worst case standard deviation of 2 cm for distance up to 8 m and 10.6 cm for distance up to 24 m.