UWB-based Sensor Networks and the IEEE 802.15.4a Standard - A Tutorial
| Citation: |
Molisch, A.F.; Orlik, P.; Sahinoglu, Z.; Zhang, J., "UWB-based Sensor Networks and the IEEE 802.15.4a Standard", International Conference Communications and Networking in China (ChinaCom), pp. 1-6, October 2006 |
| MERL Report: | TR2006-117 |
This paper gives a tutorial overview of ultrawideband communications systems for sensor networks. In particular, we describe the IEEE 802.15.4a standards, which is currently being developed. While most nodes (reduced-function devices) in sensor networks usually have to consume little energy, and are constrained with respect to the complexity of the processing they can perform, some nodes (full-function devices) do not show these restrictions. We describe a hybrid modulation, coding, and multiple access scheme that is particulary suited for heterogeneous networks that contain both FFDs and RFDs. The scheme is a generalization of the well-known time-hopping impulse radio (TH-IR). It employs systematic coding, joint pulse-position modulation and phase shift keying, as well as a combination of polarity scrambling and time-hopping. We also describe two-way ranging algorithms that serve as the basis for geolocation in 802.15.4a, and we discuss the methods for how the ranging information can be kept secret from snoopers.
