Ultra-wideband (UWB) Radios for Spatial Intelligence

Length is one of the seven fundamental physical quantities. For several centuries we have measured distances using calibrated physical objects, and more recently using light, sound, and radio waves. These measurements and the tools we use have enabled advances in several different domains, from the construction industry to space travel, from GPS localization to tracking of airplanes. With advances in electronics, clocks, miniaturization, and development of new algorithms, wireless distance measurement has now become possible. Measuring distances using wireless sensors offers the option of locating objects across rooms, through walls, and without visual line-of-sight. The measurement accuracy improves with larger bandwidth, which has resulted in the ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology gaining significant traction. Seeing an opportunity in this capability, smartphone manufacturers such as Google and Apple have incorporated UWB radios in their offerings, setting the stage for future innovation using this versatile technology. [10] In this article we look beyond the UWB object-finding use-case and explore how a modest radio can transform mobile computing for decades to come.