With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), seamless connectivity and high-precision positioning requirements between various devices are becoming increasingly important. UWB (Ultra-Wideband) technology, due to its unique characteristics and advantages, is gradually becoming one of the core technologies in the IoT field. In application scenarios such as smart cities, smart homes, and industrial automation, UWB technology can meet the diverse needs of IoT devices. This article will introduce the development of UWB technology, and the related solutions offered by Murata.
UWB technology is gradually maturing and its application market is expanding
UWB technology is a wireless communication technology characterized by its use of a very broad spectrum to transmit data. UWB technology began developing in the 1990s and was initially used mainly in radar and military communication fields. With advancements in technology and a reduction in costs, UWB has gradually entered the civilian market.
The early development of UWB technology (1990s) was applied in military and radar systems, primarily for high-precision positioning and imaging. The research focus at that time was on achieving high-bandwidth data transmission without interfering with other wireless communication systems.
As the technology further developed, UWB entered the commercial application research phase. In 2002, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the use of UWB in the 3.1-10.6 GHz frequency band and imposed strict limitations on transmission power. Subsequently, the IEEE 802.15.4a working group established standards for UWB, which provided guidelines for the application of UWB technology.
By the 2010s, UWB technology began to be applied in various commercial fields, such as precise positioning, indoor navigation, and short-range high-data-rate communication. With the rise of the IoT and smart cities, the application scope of UWB technology has expanded further.
UWB technology has a wide range of applications. The high-precision characteristics of UWB make it very suitable for positioning applications. It can achieve centimeter-level accuracy and is commonly used in indoor positioning systems (IPS), such as tracking personnel and assets within large buildings, warehouses, or factories.
Additionally, UWB technology is applied in mobile payment and access control systems because it can provide accurate distance measurements and reliable communication connections. For example, Apple's UWB technology is used in iPhones and Apple Watches to enable seamless access control and precise device-to-device communication.
In the automotive sector, UWB technology is used in keyless entry systems, providing high security and anti-theft features. Furthermore, UWB can be used for in-vehicle passenger monitoring and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication to enhance driving safety.
UWB technology is also suitable for various IoT applications, particularly in scenarios requiring high-precision positioning and low power consumption, such as smart home devices, medical monitoring equipment, and industrial automation systems. UWB technology can also be used in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) devices to provide precise motion tracking and wireless data transmission, enhancing the user interaction experience.
UWB technology offers the advantage of high precision, making it ideal for applications requiring high accuracy. Due to UWB's use of a wide bandwidth spectrum, it can achieve high-speed data transmission over short distances. Additionally, UWB technology can operate in low-power modes, making it suitable for portable devices and IoT applications. The spectrum of UWB also has strong anti-interference capabilities, allowing for stable communication in noisy wireless environments.
After years of development, UWB technology has become a versatile wireless communication technology with a broad range of applications, from precise positioning to high-data-rate transmission, with significant market potential. As the technology continues to mature and application scenarios expand, UWB technology will play an increasingly important role in the future of wireless communication.
Ultra-small UWB module meeting the needs of battery-powered IoT devices
UWB technology benefits from secure and precise distance measurement based on the time-of-flight (ToF) of radio waves. For related applications, Murata has launched several UWB modules and associated evaluation kits to accelerate product development.
Firstly, Murata's Type 2BP is an ultra-small UWB module that includes the NXP SR150 UWB chipset, clock, filter, and peripheral components, making it very suitable for general IoT devices, including battery-powered ones.
The Type 2BP is a small-sized UWB module with resin-molded conformal shielding and uses the NXP Trimension SR150 chipset. It complies with IEEE802.15.4z HRP PHY, supports 5 and 9 UWB channels, and supports 62.4MHz, 124.8MHz, and 249.6MHz PRF modes. It offers data rates of 6.81Mbps, 7.8Mbps, 27.24Mbps, and 31.2Mbps, features an SPI interface, complies with FCC and ETSI UWB spectral masks, and supports both two-way ranging measurement (DS-TWR) and one-way ranging measurement (TDoA). It can accommodate 3 antennas (supporting 3D AoA or 2D AoA) and supports power calibration and Xtal calibration.
The Type 2BP uses an ARM Cortex-M33 CPU core, with 128kB code RAM and 128kB data RAM. It supports external antennas but does not include RF connectors or antennas. Its operating temperature range is -30 to 85°C, and it uses SMT mounting type with an LGA package. The maximum dimensions are 6.6 × 5.8 × 1.2 mm, with a weight of only 107 mg. The power supply voltage (Vdc) is 1.8V, and it is certified by FCC/IC/MIC (Japan), as well as ETSI report, FiRa certification, and ISO9001. The product meets MSL level 3 and complies with RoHS standards.
To accelerate customer product development, Murata has also introduced the Type2BP-EVK evaluation kit, which is an entry-level kit designed to assist customers in UWB development using the Type 2BP UWB module. This evaluation kit uses the Type 2BP module (NXP Trimension SR150 and NXP QN9090 BLE chip), features USB/SWD interfaces, and includes 3 onboard antennas. It has a built-in USB/UART converter IC, can be powered via USB cable and COM port of PC, and can control the Type 2BP via the QN9090. The development kit is approved by Apple® for evaluating UWB-enabled accessories, which interact with Apple products containing the U1 chip using Apple's Nearby Interaction framework.
Combined Bluetooth low energy and integrated UWB module
Murata's other UWB module, the Type 2DK, is an integrated UWB and Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) combo module. It incorporates the NXP Trimension™ SR040 UWB chipset, the NXP QN9090 BLE and MCU chipset, as well as integrated UWB/Bluetooth® Low Energy onboard antennas and peripheral components. It is ideal for UWB tags/tracking devices and general IoT devices powered by coin cell batteries.
The Type 2DK module complies with IEEE802.15.4z HRP PHY and Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0, uses 5 and 9 UWB frequency channels, and features an ARM Cortex-M4 CPU core (QN9090) with 640KB flash and 152KB SRAM. It has an operating temperature range of -30 to 85°C, uses SMT mounting type and LGA packaging, and measures 19.6 × 18.2 × 2.3 mm with a weight of only 1.296 grams. It operates at a 3V power supply (Vdc) and is certified by FCC/IC/MIC (Japan) and ETSI report, ISO9001 certified, reaches MSL Level 3, and complies with RoHS standards.
Murata also offers the Type2DK-EVK evaluation kit, which is a starter kit for UWB development using the Type 2DK UWB module. This comprehensive evaluation board features USB/SWD interfaces, an onboard accelerometer, and the ability to switch between coin cell battery and USB bus power. It includes a USB/UART converter IC and measures only 36 × 35 × 12.45 mm, making it immediately usable for tag device evaluation.
Ultra-small, high-quality, and low-power UWB module
Murata’s other UWB module, Type 2AB, is designed as an ultra-small, high-quality, and low-power UWB module, making it highly suitable for compact, battery-powered IoT devices and applications.
The Type 2AB uses the Qorvo QM33120W UWB chipset, supporting channels 5 and 9 and Bluetooth Low Energy 2.4GHz. It is FCC/IC/TELEC reference certified and integrates the Nordic IC/nRF52840 hostless module with Bluetooth Low Energy functionality for UWB wake-up and firmware updates. The Type 2AB also integrates a 3-axis sensor to conserve battery power and reference clocks for UWB and MCU are embedded.
The Type 2AB can contribute to customer product development as one of the smallest and most highly integrated UWB modules on the market, reducing the area by 75% compared to CoB solutions. Each device’s frequency, transmit power, and antenna delay are calibrated, supporting multi-antenna designs and evaluations.
The Type 2AB features an ARM Cortex-M4 CPU core with 1MB flash and 256KB memory, supports external antennas but does not include RF connectors or antennas, has an operating temperature range of -40 to 85°C, and uses SMT mounting type with LGA packaging. Its maximum dimensions are 10.5 × 8.3 × 1.44 mm, weighing 0.31g, with power supply voltages of 3.0V for VDD1, VDD2, and VDDMCU, and 5.0V for VUSB1.8V. It supports Bluetooth 5.2 with power class 1, built-in USB, UART, SPI, I2C host interfaces, and is certified through FCC/IC/MIC (Japan), ETSI reports, and ISO9001, compliant with RoHS and reaches MSL level 3.
Murata also offers an evaluation board supporting the Type 2AB UWB/Bluetooth Low Energy module, the LBUA5QJ2AB-828EVB. This board connects to a PC via a Type-C USB terminal through the USB interface, powering the board and providing a serial port. Customers can use the serial port terminal to input AT commands to evaluate RF performance. If customers reprogram the demo firmware into the module, they can also evaluate simple TWR and PDoA functions.
Conclusion
High-precision UWB technology, with its outstanding positioning accuracy, high-speed data transmission, and low power consumption, perfectly meets the growing demands of IoT devices. In various application scenarios such as smart cities, smart homes, and industrial automation, UWB technology not only enhances device connectivity but also significantly improves the overall efficiency and reliability of systems. As UWB technology continues to evolve and innovate, its applications in the IoT field will become more extensive and in-depth, contributing to a more intelligent and efficient interconnected world. Murata's range of UWB modules offers excellent performance and comes with a complete development toolkit, which will help customers quickly develop UWB application products and seize market opportunities.