#uwb module

UWB3000F00-X1 adopts Qorvo's DW3000 IC series, a fully integrated single-chip ultra-wideband (UWB) low-power, low-cost transceiver IC that complies with the IEEE 802.15.4-2020 standard protocol. It can be used in two-way ranging and TDoA systems, offering a positioning accuracy of 10 centimeters.

The UWB3000 module features an innovative design that distinguishes it from traditional Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technologies. It is specially optimized for the physical characteristics of RF signals, enabling ultra-high precision, real-time, and highly reliable positioning and communication capabilities. Based on the Qorvo fully integrated single-chip ultra-wide band (UWB) transceiver IC, the module offers advantages of low power consumption and low cost, making it an ideal choice for achieving precise positioning. Whether in complex industrial environments, smart homes, or IoT applications, the UWB3000 can provide centimeter-level positioning accuracy to meet the needs of various application scenarios.

Core Advantages of the UWB3000 Module:

High Precision Positioning: Compared to traditional Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the UWB3000 achieves centimeter-level positioning accuracy by optimizing the physical characteristics of RF signals, making it perfect for scenarios that demand extreme precision.

Low Power Consumption and Low Cost: The module uses Qorvo's fully integrated UWB transceiver IC, significantly reducing energy consumption and costs while maintaining high performance, making it an economical and efficient positioning solution.

Support for Multiple Ranging Technologies: The UWB3000 supports bidirectional long-distance ranging, TDoA (Time Difference of Arrival), and PDoA (Phase Difference of Arrival) systems, allowing for flexible application in various scenarios and enhancing system versatility.

Real-Time Communication: The module features real-time communication capabilities, enabling millisecond-level data transmission, ensuring synchronization between positioning and information transmission, thereby improving overall system operational efficiency.

Multi-Antenna Configuration for Diverse Application Scenarios: The UWB3000 module supports various antenna configurations, including built-in FPC antennas, omnidirectional stick antennas, and directional log-periodic antennas, allowing it to adapt to different environmental needs. Whether in complex indoor settings or open outdoor areas, the UWB3000 ensures stable signal coverage and precise positioning performance.

Typical Application Scenarios for the UWB3000 Module

Industrial Automation: In industrial automation environments, precise positioning is crucial for robot navigation and automated transport systems. The UWB3000 can facilitate accurate distance measurement and real-time positioning between devices and between devices and personnel, significantly enhancing the intelligence and safety of production lines.

Smart Homes: The UWB3000 enables precise positioning and management of home devices, improving the automation level of smart home systems. It can be used for smart lighting control, appliance positioning, and security monitoring, providing users with a convenient and personalized smart home experience.

Internet of Things (IoT): The UWB3000 module plays a vital role in the positioning and communication of IoT devices. It ensures accurate positioning and efficient communication in large-scale deployments, offering seamless support in smart cities, smart buildings, and logistics management.

Asset Tracking: With the UWB3000 module, high-value assets in warehousing and logistics can be tracked in real time, helping businesses reduce costs and improve efficiency. Its precise positioning capabilities ensure transparency of item locations at every stage, facilitating management and process optimization.

Drones and Autonomous Driving: The UWB3000 has broad application prospects in the fields of drones and autonomous driving. Through accurate ranging and positioning, it aids drones in precise flight and supports real-time navigation and obstacle avoidance for autonomous vehicles, enhancing operational safety and reliability.

Summary: The UWB3000 module, with its advanced UWB technology, low power consumption, high-precision positioning, and multiple antenna configurations, is the best choice for positioning and communication in complex environments. Whether in industrial automation, smart homes, IoT, or asset tracking, the UWB3000 delivers outstanding performance and stable connectivity, offering users an innovative experience that surpasses traditional technologies.

The rapid development of the indoor positioning industry and the quick expansion of the market are closely related to the diversification of positioning technologies. Common indoor positioning technologies include Bluetooth positioning, WiFi positioning, UWB (Ultra-Wideband) positioning, and ZigBee positioning, among others. In recent years, indoor navigation and positioning have become increasingly common, such as in underground parking lot vehicle location, smart guide systems in hospitals and nursing homes, and asset and item tracking in warehouses. Currently, the most common positioning technologies on the market are Bluetooth-based and UWB-based (Ultra-Wideband) technologies. Today, we will mainly introduce the differences between NiceRF's Bluetooth positioning and UWB positioning.

What are the differences between Bluetooth positioning and UWB positioning, and what are the main distinctions?

Supported wireless protocols

Bluetooth positioning is based on the standard Bluetooth 4.0-5.2 protocols

UWB (Ultra-Wideband) positioning uses UWB wireless communication technology, which supports extremely wide bandwidth (typically over 500 MHz). This protocol is designed for high precision and low latency communication, providing reliable performance in complex environments.

UWB3000F27 and UWB3000F00 adhere to IEEE802.15.4-2015 and IEEE802.15.4z (BPRF mode) standards, while UWB650 follows the IEEE 802.15.4-2020 Standard protocol.

Positioning Principles and Accuracy

Bluetooth Positioning: Bluetooth positioning primarily relies on RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) measurements to estimate the distance between devices by measuring signal strength. NiceRF uses more advanced positioning methods, employing Bluetooth Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD) technologies to enhance positioning accuracy. The accuracy of Bluetooth positioning typically ranges from 1 to 5 meters, depending on the environment, the number of devices, and their configuration.

UWB Positioning: UWB positioning typically uses ToF (Time of Flight) and TDoA (Time Difference of Arrival) measurement principles. It determines distance by accurately measuring the signal propagation time. UWB positioning accuracy can reach within 10 centimeters and, under ideal conditions, can even achieve accuracy of a few centimeters. This high precision makes UWB highly advantageous in applications requiring exact positioning.

UWB3000F27 and UWB3000F00: These modules are used for two-way long-distance ranging, TDoA (Time Difference of Arrival), and PDoA (Phase Difference of Arrival) systems, with positioning accuracy up to 10 centimeters.

UWB650 Module: This module integrates data communication, double-sided two-way ranging (DS-TWR), and three-point planar positioning functions using UWB technology. It supports communication distances of over 1 KM in open environments, making it suitable for long-distance ranging applications.

Anti-Interference Capability

Bluetooth Positioning: Bluetooth technology operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, making it susceptible to interference from other devices such as Wi-Fi and microwave ovens, which can affect positioning accuracy and stability.

NiceRF Bluetooth 5.2 protocol utilizes Silicon Labs' EFR32BG22C224 SOC chip. It features low power consumption, small size, long transmission distance, and strong anti-interference capabilities.

UWB Positioning: UWB technology uses an ultra-wide frequency band, offering strong anti-interference capabilities. It can provide stable positioning services in complex environments and is less likely to be affected by other wireless devices.

Data Transmission Speed

Bluetooth Positioning: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is primarily designed for low power consumption, typically resulting in lower data transmission rates.

UWB Positioning: UWB technology not only provides high-precision positioning but also supports high data transmission rates, making it suitable for applications that require the simultaneous transmission of large amounts of data and precise location tracking.

Synchronization Mechanism

Bluetooth Positioning: Synchronization between Bluetooth devices typically relies on communication between the master and slave devices, which may introduce some time delay.

UWB Positioning: UWB uses a time synchronization mechanism, achieving precise synchronization between devices through high-precision timestamps of ultra-wideband signals.

Deployment Density

Bluetooth Positioning: Due to the accuracy of Bluetooth positioning being significantly affected by signal strength and interference, a high number of Bluetooth beacons (Beacons) are needed to cover the target area. This can lead to high-density deployment, especially in large or complex environments.

UWB Positioning: UWB positioning systems typically require less infrastructure to cover the same area because their high precision and strong anti-interference capabilities can provide stable positioning services over a larger range. This makes UWB systems more cost-effective for large-scale deployments.

Standby Duration

Bluetooth Positioning: A significant advantage of Bluetooth technology is its low power consumption. Devices using BLE can typically operate for extended periods, with standby times reaching several months or even years, making it well-suited for scenarios requiring long-term continuous operation.

UWB Positioning: UWB generally involves high power consumption for ultra-long-distance modules, making it less advantageous in terms of standby duration. UWB modules are better suited for high-precision positioning tasks of shorter duration.

Application Scenarios

Bluetooth Positioning: Widely used in indoor navigation, personnel tracking, asset management, smart homes, and customer behavior analysis in retail stores. This is mainly due to its low cost, low power consumption, and convenient deployment characteristics.

UWB Positioning: Due to its high precision and reliability, UWB is widely used in industrial automation, robotic navigation, drone positioning, sports and medical tracking, and high-precision asset management, among other fields requiring accurate positioning.

How to Choose the Right Indoor Positioning Solution

When choosing an indoor positioning solution, it is recommended to first clarify your positioning needs, including the required indoor positioning accuracy and the functional requirements of the positioning solution. Next, consider the budget you can allocate for the indoor positioning solution and the complexity of setting up the positioning environment.

The need for indoor positioning accuracy

Bluetooth Positioning: Bluetooth positioning accuracy is typically around 3 to 5 meters, making it suitable for applications where high precision is not critical.

UWB Positioning: UWB (Ultra-Wideband) positioning technology can provide centimeter-level accuracy, typically ranging from 10 to 30 centimeters. This high precision makes UWB ideal for applications requiring exact positioning.

Complexity of Setting Up the Positioning Environment:

Bluetooth Positioning: The layout is relatively simple; you just need to pay attention to the spacing between beacons.

UWB Positioning: The layout is more complex compared to Bluetooth positioning because it involves the installation of UWB base stations.

In recent years, with the continuous advancement of medical technology and the rapid development of information technology, the demand for high-precision positioning and data transmission in the medical industry has been increasing. Against this backdrop, wireless communication modules based on Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology have gradually become an essential tool in the medical sector. This article will introduce the UWB650 module launched by NiceRF and its applications in the medical industry, demonstrating how it enhances the quality and efficiency of medical services through high-precision positioning and high-speed data transmission.

Overview and advantages of the UWB650 module

NiceRF has launched the UWB650 module, a wireless communication module based on UWB technology that adheres to the IEEE 802.15.4-2020 Standard protocol. This module is equipped with a 0.5W high-power amplifier chip, eliminating the need for users to design circuits, as it includes the wireless communication module and related circuits. It also integrates ESD protection devices, effectively providing electrostatic protection.

The UWB650 module supports UWB Channel 5 (6489.6MHz) and offers air data rates of 8Mbps and 850Kbps. It supports preamble codes 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, and 12; modules with different preamble code configurations cannot communicate with each other, ensuring the system's security and stability. The module supports WUB wireless to TTL, multi-level transmission power adjustment, and can achieve a maximum transmission power of 5W for ultra-long-distance data communication. It utilizes two-way ranging (DS-TWR) and three-point planar positioning methods. The UWB650 module can perform high-precision positioning calculations and is equipped with electrostatic protection.

UWB Technology Applications in Positioning and Data Transmission within the Medical Industry

The implementation of UWB technology positioning systems in hospitals enables the visualization of medical data. By analyzing this information, hospitals can identify the best methods to optimize workflow processes.

In addition to locating medical staff and patients, UWB technology can be used to install tags on important medical equipment. The time spent searching for equipment can significantly delay patient care, making asset tracking crucial. By using smart tags supported by IoT positioning technology, the platform system provides real-time room-level precision information, listing the location and detailed usage of medical equipment, and offering maintenance and cleaning alerts. Once asset management tags are placed on the necessary equipment, staff can view the exact location of the equipment within seconds. Ensuring the availability of medical monitoring equipment and quickly locating it is vital for both healthcare personnel and patients.

In addition to its positioning functionality, UWB also supports data transmission. The UWB650 module supports UWB wireless to TTL conversion, allowing the transmission of specific location information of the tags, such as the distance within a certain range in meters.

Medical staff positioning

In the daily operations of a hospital, the positioning and management of medical staff are crucial for ensuring the quality of medical services. The UWB650 module, with its high-precision positioning technology, can achieve accurate real-time tracking of medical staff locations. Medical personnel carrying devices equipped with the UWB650 module, such as smart badges or wristbands, can be monitored in real-time by the management system, ensuring that relevant staff can be quickly located in emergencies. Additionally, this positioning system can optimize the scheduling and allocation of medical staff, thereby improving the operational efficiency of the hospital.

Patient Monitoring and Positioning

For Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and elderly care centers, patient positioning and monitoring are particularly critical. The UWB650 module can connect with wearable monitoring devices, enabling real-time patient positioning and health data transmission. If a patient leaves a safe area or experiences an emergency, the device can send an alarm notification by pressing a button on the wearable device, sharing the patient's precise location. This not only enhances patient safety but also alleviates the workload of healthcare personnel.

Medical Equipment Management

Hospitals house a vast array of expensive and precise medical equipment, whose management and maintenance are crucial for the quality of medical services. By installing the UWB650 module on these devices, hospitals can achieve real-time equipment positioning and status monitoring. The management system can record the usage, maintenance history, and current status of the equipment, preventing loss or misuse. Additionally, the real-time positioning of equipment allows healthcare personnel to quickly locate and use it when needed.

UWB650 module, launched by NiceRF, is a wireless communication module based on Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology and compliant with the IEEE 802.15.4-2020 Standard protocol. Developed from the UWB3000F27, the UWB650 module features a  high-power 0.5W amplifier chip. Users do not need to design any circuits, as the UWB650 module includes the wireless communication module and related circuits, integrated with ESD protection devices to provide effective ESD static protection. The UWB650 module combines data communication, two-way ranging (DS-TWR), and three-point planar positioning functions of UWB technology into one module. Users can easily utilize these functions through the UART interface on the module without the need for additional design and development.    The UWB650 module features data transmission, ranging, and positioning functions, as well as a sleep mode.

Data Transmission Function:

The module encapsulates data obtained from the serial port before transmission. Users can input up to 1010 bytes of data per packet, which will be treated as the MAC Payload part of the communication protocol. When the module receives data from other modules, it parses the data packet and outputs the MAC Payload part through the serial port. The module supports AES-128 (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption and decryption functions.

Ranging Function:

When the module enters the ranging mode, it defaults to the Responder role. The module automatically responds to ranging signals initiated by the Initiator and begins the ranging process without user intervention. When switched to the Initiator role, the module can initiate ranging with up to 5 Responder modules in a polling sequence.

Positioning Function: The positioning function includes two roles: Tag and Station. When the module enters positioning mode, it defaults to the Station role. The module automatically responds to ranging signals from Tags and initiates the ranging process without user intervention. When switched to Tag mode, users can use configuration commands to specify which 3 Stations the module should range with to obtain positioning. If not specified, the module will randomly select information from nearby 3 Stations for ranging and positioning. Sleep Mode: During normal operation, the CS pin is in an input state with internal pull-up. When the CS pin is externally driven low, the module enters sleep mode. During this period, the internal MCU, UWB chip, and power amplifier chip stop working, maintaining low current consumption. When the CS pin is externally driven high, the module wakes up from sleep mode. During wake-up, the MCU wakes up the internal UWB chip and sequentially restores various parameters of the UWB chip.

Below are brief overview of the module's features： Communication distance of over 1KM in open environments The UWB650 module features a high-power amplifier chip providing 0.5W output, with a transmission bandwidth (BW) of 499.2MHz, and a reception sensitivity of -94dBm. It includes a built-in antenna and supports communication distances exceeding 1 kilometer in open environments, ideal for long-range ranging applications. Electrostatic Protection (ESD) The UWB650 module includes a wireless communication module and related circuitry, integrated with ESD protection devices that effectively provide ESD protection. This protection can prevent static discharge from damaging sensitive electronic components, ensuring that electronic devices can operate stably and reliably during production, transportation, and use. UWB wireless to TTL Level, easy for digital data transmission use The UWB wireless to TTL interface converts ultra-wideband (UWB) signals into TTL-level UART signals, facilitating easy connection with microcontrollers and other digital devices. It supports plug-and-play functionality without complex setup or programming, enabling users to quickly start data transmission. This feature is particularly suitable for embedded systems and IoT applications. RF rate reaches 6.8Mbps The UWB module offers a high-speed data transmission capability of 6.8 Mbps, suitable for HD audio, fast file transfers, and low-latency communication. It maintains low power consumption and strong anti-interference capabilities, making it particularly suitable for applications in consumer electronics, industrial automation, medical devices, and smart home environments that require efficient and stable connections. High-precision ranging/indoor positioning UWB650 is a fully integrated microcontroller that combines ultra-wideband (UWB) low-power, low-cost transceiver IC with a 0.5W high-power amplifier chip. It complies with IEEE802.15.4-2015 and IEEE802.15.4z (BPRF mode) standards. It is suitable for bidirectional long-range ranging, TDoA, and PDoA systems, with a positioning accuracy of up to 10 centimeters. It can be used for large-scale industrial personnel positioning, underground positioning in coal mines, hospital staff positioning, and various indoor positioning applications. AES128 wireless encryption By using AES-128 encryption, you can ensure that data transmitted wirelessly is protected against unauthorized interception or tampering. Many industries and regions have regulations that mandate encryption of data during wireless transmission to safeguard data privacy and security. AES-128 is widely accepted and offers strong security, meeting these requirements effectively.

UWB650 module features Comply with IEEE 802.15.4-2020 Standard UWB communication protocol  Supports UWB Channel 5 (6489.6 MHz) Supports 6.8 Mbps and 850 Kbps RF Rate  Supports preambles 3/4/9/10/11/12, with modules unable to communicate between different preamble configurations Supports multiple transmission power levels, with a maximum transmission power of  0.5W Ultra-long distance data communication Adopts double-sided Bi-Directional ranging (DS-TWR) Adopts three-point planar positioning method for precise positioning calculation Electrostatic Protection (ESD)

The above is the content of this sharing: The UWB650 module, based on the UWB3000F27 module, achieves long-distance data communication, supports ESD static protection, and AES128 wireless encryption. NiceRF not only provides various wireless module products but also offers ODM/OEM customization services. We welcome inquiries from major manufacturers.