What are the precautions for installing UWB positioning system?

Base station layout: Base stations should be reasonably arranged according to the shape, size, and occlusion of the positioning area. In open areas, the distance between base stations can be appropriately increased; In areas with many obstructions (such as metal shelves and thick walls), it is necessary to deploy encrypted base stations to ensure signal coverage and positioning accuracy. For example, in a factory workshop, if there are large metal equipment, the base station should be installed in a location that can avoid equipment obstruction and effectively cover the surrounding area with signals. Height and angle: It is generally recommended to install the base station at a height of 2-5 meters to ensure that the signal can cover the positioning space well, while avoiding being too low and obstructed by objects, or too high and causing complex signal reflection. The installation angle should enable the base station to receive tag signals within the maximum range, usually vertically downwards or adjusted according to the actual scene. Cable connection and power supply: Ensure a secure cable connection between the base station and equipment such as switches, follow cable laying specifications, and avoid signal interference. For PoE (Power over Ethernet) base stations, it is necessary to ensure that the switch supports PoE functionality and that the power meets the requirements of the base station; Non PoE base stations require stable DC power supply, with voltage and current in accordance with equipment specifications. Tag installation: When installing tags on the located object, it is necessary to ensure that the direction of tag signal transmission is not severely obstructed. If personnel wear tags, they should be worn in a conspicuous and unobstructed area of the body without excessive obstruction such as clothing; The installation position of tags on the device should consider the posture of the device during operation to ensure that the tags can always communicate normally with the base station.

How to debug UWB positioning system for optimal performance?

Initial parameter setting: Through system configuration software, set parameters such as base station ID, channel, and transmission power to ensure that the parameters of each base station are coordinated and consistent, and meet the requirements of actual application scenarios. For example, in multi story buildings, base stations on different floors can set up different channels to reduce signal interference between floors. Calibration and Calibration: The system is calibrated using calibration points at known positions. By measuring the deviation between the actual and theoretical positions of the labels at these calibration points, system parameters are adjusted to improve positioning accuracy. Specialized calibration tools or software can be used to perform multiple calibrations according to the operating steps until the accuracy meets the requirements. Signal strength and coverage testing: Use signal testing tools to detect the signal strength of base stations at different locations within the positioning area and draw a signal strength distribution map. For areas with weak or no signal, analyze the reasons and adjust parameters such as base station location, angle, or power to enhance signal coverage. Positioning accuracy test: Arrange multiple test points in the positioning area, move the labels at these points, and observe the positioning results displayed by the system and the actual position error. If the error exceeds expectations, check the layout, parameter settings, algorithms, and other aspects of the base station for targeted optimization. Adjust the weighting coefficients of the positioning algorithm to balance the impact of different ranging methods on the positioning results. System stability testing: Keep the positioning system running for a period of time and observe whether there are any abnormal situations such as packet loss or positioning interruption. If there are stability issues, investigate the reasons for network connection, device cooling, software compatibility, etc., and take measures such as replacing network devices, improving cooling conditions, and updating software versions to solve them.

What challenges does UWB positioning face in complex environments such as multipath interference and signal occlusion?

Multipath interference: In complex indoor environments, UWB signals can reflect off walls, floors, object surfaces, etc., causing the receiving end to receive signals from multiple different paths. These multipath signals have different arrival times and phases, which can interfere with each other, distort the signal waveform, and affect the ranging accuracy based on signal time of arrival (ToF) or time difference of arrival (TDOA), thereby reducing the positioning accuracy. For example, in large warehouses, metal shelves will strongly reflect UWB signals, increasing the degree of multipath interference. Signal obstruction: Although UWB signals have a certain degree of penetration ability, when encountering thick walls, metal obstacles, etc., the signal strength will significantly weaken or even be completely obstructed. When there is obstruction between the tag and the base station, it may cause signal loss or distance measurement errors, resulting in positioning deviation or inability to locate. In areas such as operating rooms and intensive care units in hospitals, a large number of metal medical equipment and shielded doors can obstruct UWB signals. Non line of sight propagation (NLOS): When there are obstacles in the signal propagation path that prevent the signal from propagating in a straight line to the receiving end, but instead propagate through reflection, diffraction, and other means, NLOS propagation occurs. NLOS propagation can cause the measured signal propagation time to be longer than the actual line of sight propagation time, resulting in ranging errors and affecting positioning accuracy. In underground parking lots, vehicles, pillars, etc. can cause NLOS propagation of UWB signals.

How to deal with the challenges of UWB positioning in complex environments?

Multipath interference response strategy: Adopting multipath suppression algorithms, such as RAKE receiver technology, it can separate signals from different paths and perform weighted merging to enhance useful signals and suppress interference signals. Optimize the layout of base stations, reasonably set the position and angle of base stations, reduce the overlap of signal reflection paths, and reduce the impact of multipath interference. Using UWB antennas with stronger anti multipath capabilities, such as directional antennas, can reduce the reception of reflected signals from non target directions. Signal occlusion response strategy: Increase the number of base stations and ensure through redundant deployment that tags can still communicate with other unobstructed base stations even in the presence of occlusion. Using repeaters or signal amplifiers to enhance signal strength in areas prone to signal obstruction, ensuring effective signal transmission. For unavoidable strong obstructions such as metal, one can try changing their installation position or wrapping them with signal shielding materials to reduce interference with surrounding signals. Non line of sight propagation response strategy: Use NLOS recognition algorithm to analyze signal characteristics (such as signal strength changes, arrival time fluctuations, etc.) to determine whether NLOS propagation exists, and correct the ranging results. Combined with other positioning technologies such as Inertial Navigation (INS), in NLOS situations, inertial sensor data is used to assist in positioning and compensate for the errors caused by NLOS in UWB positioning.

How to integrate UWB positioning and Bluetooth positioning?

Principle complementarity: UWB has high positioning accuracy, reaching centimeter level, but the deployment cost of base stations is high and the coverage range is relatively limited; Bluetooth positioning has low power consumption and low cost, suitable for large-scale low precision positioning. Integrating the two and utilizing UWB positioning in key areas that require high-precision positioning, such as assembly areas in factories and the vicinity of operating rooms in hospitals; In other areas with low precision requirements, Bluetooth positioning is used for coverage. For example, in large shopping malls, UWB is used internally to provide customers with precise navigation to product shelves, while in public passages and other areas, Bluetooth positioning is used to achieve rough tracking of customer locations. Hardware integration: Develop composite positioning tags and base station devices that integrate UWB and Bluetooth functions. Tags can send and receive UWB signals, as well as communicate with Bluetooth beacons; The base station can also support the processing of UWB and Bluetooth signals simultaneously. This can reduce the number of devices, lower deployment complexity and costs. Data fusion algorithm: Processing UWB and Bluetooth positioning data through fusion algorithms. For example, when the UWB signal is good, the UWB positioning result is mainly used; When UWB signals are severely obstructed or interfered with, switch to Bluetooth positioning results, and use algorithms such as Kalman filtering to smooth the data of both to ensure the continuity and stability of positioning.

How to integrate UWB positioning and inertial navigation?

Working mode switching: Inertial navigation system (INS) measures the acceleration and angular velocity of an object through accelerometers and gyroscopes, calculates the position and attitude changes of the object, but its errors accumulate over time. When the UWB signal is stable and can be effectively received, the accumulated error of INS is corrected in real time based on the UWB positioning result; When the UWB signal is lost (such as in areas with severe signal obstruction), it automatically switches to INS positioning, utilizing the short-term high-precision characteristics of INS to maintain the positioning function until the UWB signal is restored. For example, in underground mines, the positioning devices worn by miners use UWB positioning in open tunnels, and rely on INS to continue positioning when entering branch tunnels with poor signals. Data fusion optimization: Using algorithms such as Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to fuse UWB and INS data. EKF can combine the high-precision positioning data of UWB with the continuous attitude and motion data of INS to comprehensively estimate the position, velocity, and attitude of objects, improving the accuracy and stability of positioning. Through fusion, even when the UWB signal is briefly interrupted, the current position can be predicted based on INS data and previous UWB data, making the positioning result smoother.

What are the application scenarios of UWB positioning technology?

UWB (Ultra Wideband) positioning technology has demonstrated unique application value in multiple fields due to its centimeter level accuracy, low latency, and strong anti-interference capabilities. The following are its core application scenarios and specific cases: 1、 Consumer Electronics and Smart Life 1. Interaction between smartphones and IoT devices Scenario: The mobile phone accurately perceives the location of surrounding devices through UWB, achieving contactless interaction. Case: The Apple iPhone 11/12 series is equipped with the U1 chip, which supports the "space sensing" function and can be used to control the volume of HomePod speakers and quickly find AirTag trackers (with centimeter level accuracy). Extension: In smart homes, when the phone is close to the smart door lock, it automatically unlocks or points to the TV to switch channels. 2. Smart wearables and personnel tracking Scenario: Preventing children/elderly from getting lost, tracking pets, and monitoring sports and health. Case: Huawei Watch GT 4 supports UWB tag linkage, allowing parents to view their child's precise location in the mall in real-time; The gym tracks the user's movement trajectory and analyzes their posture through UWB. 2、 Industrial and Intelligent Manufacturing 1. Factory assets and personnel positioning Scenario: Tracking production line equipment, AGV carts, worker positions, optimizing production processes, and ensuring safety. Case: In automobile manufacturing factories, UWB positioning systems monitor the positions of robotic arms and material trucks in real time to avoid collisions; High risk areas (such as chemical workshops) restrict personnel from entering and trigger alarms. Advantages: Strong resistance to metal obstruction and multi-path interference, suitable for complex industrial environments. 2. Warehouse logistics and automated sorting Scenario: Accurately locate shelves, pallets, and AGV carts in an intelligent warehouse to improve sorting efficiency. Case: JD's "Asia No.1" warehouse adopts UWB technology, and AGV cars automatically park on shelves through centimeter level positioning, cooperating with robotic arms to complete cargo grabbing, improving sorting efficiency by more than 30%. 3、 Indoor Navigation and Smart Space 1. Navigation for large venues (shopping malls, airports, hospitals) Scenario: Provide real-time indoor map navigation for users, accurately guiding them to stores, boarding gates, consultation rooms, etc. Case: Shanghai Pudong Airport introduces UWB positioning system, allowing passengers to view real-time location through a mobile app and navigate to security or boarding gates, reducing the average time by 50%; The museum achieves "precise guidance" through UWB, automatically playing explanations when approaching exhibits. 2. Assistance for blind and visually impaired individuals Scenario: Real time path guidance is provided to visually impaired individuals through the linkage of UWB tags and obstacle sensors. Case: Microsoft collaborates with a non-profit organization to develop the "Soundscape" system, which combines UWB positioning and audio feedback to help blind people identify obstacles and plan safe routes. 4、 Intelligent Transportation and Connected Vehicles 1. Keyless entry and vehicle safety Scenario: When the car owner approaches the vehicle, UWB accurately identifies their identity and automatically unlocks the doors (to prevent relay attacks). Case: BMW Digital Key Plus uses UWB technology to determine whether the owner is actually approaching the vehicle (rather than signal relay forgery), avoiding key duplication and theft. 2. Vehicle to vehicle/infrastructure collaboration (V2X) Scenario: The vehicle perceives the real-time position of surrounding vehicles through UWB, predicts collision risks, and assists in autonomous driving. Case: Ford tests UWB technology for automatic parking in parking lots, where vehicles achieve centimeter level precision parking by locating surrounding obstacles and parking lines; On highways, UWB can improve the accuracy of distance monitoring and reduce rear end collisions. 5、 Special Scenarios and Industry Applications 1. Tunnels and underground engineering Scenario: Positioning workers and equipment during subway construction and mining to ensure emergency rescue efficiency. Case: A tunnel project in Switzerland uses UWB positioning system to monitor the position of construction personnel in real time. Once a collapse occurs, the system can quickly lock in the coordinates of trapped personnel, shortening the rescue time. 2. Autonomous indoor flight of unmanned aerial vehicles Scenario: In indoor inspection and logistics distribution, drones use UWB to achieve centimeter level positioning and avoid obstacles. Case: Amazon Prime Air tests UWB for indoor drone delivery, accurately landing on designated desktops; The power company uses UWB positioning drones to autonomously inspect equipment in the substation. 6、 Medical and Health Management 1. Hospital assets and patient tracking Scenario: Track wheelchairs, infusion pumps, and high-risk patients (such as Alzheimer's disease patients) to prevent them from getting lost or losing equipment. Case: The Mayo Clinic in the United States has deployed a UWB system, allowing nurses to view the location of oxygen cylinders in real-time through a tablet, reducing device search time; In the psychiatric ward, patients wear UWB tags that automatically sound an alarm when they cross the line. 2. Precise surgical positioning Scenario: Combining UWB with medical imaging to assist doctors in accurately locating lesions or instrument positions during surgery. Research direction: Some medical institutions are exploring the use of UWB for minimally invasive interventional surgery, reducing radiation exposure and surgical errors by locating the position of the catheter. Summary: The Core Advantages and Future Trends of UWB Advantages: Compared to technologies such as Bluetooth and WiFi, UWB has irreplaceable advantages in precision (centimeter level vs. meter level), anti-interference (wideband low-power), and real-time (nanosecond level pulse). Trend: With the decrease in chip costs (driven by manufacturers such as Decawave and Apple) and standardization (IEEE 802.15.4z), UWB will penetrate from high-end scenarios (such as automotive and industrial) to the consumer market, becoming one of the underlying positioning technologies for the "Internet of Things". If you need to further understand the technical details or implementation plan of a certain scenario, feel free to ask additional questions at any time!

What is the development prospect of UWB positioning?

UWB positioning technology has broad application prospects in indoor positioning, intelligent transportation, intelligent manufacturing and other fields due to its high precision and anti-interference characteristics. With the continuous development of technology and the reduction of costs, its application scope will continue to expand, and it is expected to be popularized and promoted in more fields.

Can UWB positioning be combined with other technologies?

Yes, for example, in large indoor places, UWB can achieve high-precision positioning. In areas where UWB signals are difficult to penetrate, Bluetooth technology can be combined for blind positioning. Bluetooth provides lower precision location information, while UWB provides high-precision location information. The combination of the two provides a more comprehensive and flexible positioning solution.

How to achieve UWB positioning based on Arduino?

It can be implemented using an Arduino development board combined with UWB modules (such as the DW1000 module). Firstly, program the Arduino and configure the parameters of the UWB module to achieve communication and signal measurement between modules. Then, using the distance data obtained from the measurement, the position information is calculated through a positioning algorithm. For example, with the help of the ESP32uUWB (DW1000) module indoor positioning open-source project, one can refer to its code and algorithm to implement UWB positioning based on Arduino.

How to achieve UWB 3D positioning?

By arranging multiple UWB base stations, a three-dimensional positioning network is formed. By using algorithms such as trilateration or TDOA, combined with the distance information between the tag and different base stations, the coordinate position of the tag in three-dimensional space is calculated to achieve 3D positioning.

Can UWB be used for drone positioning?

Yes, UWB can be used for indoor positioning of drones, providing accurate location information to help them achieve autonomous flight, obstacle avoidance, and precise landing in indoor environments, improving the safety and accuracy of drone flight in complex indoor environments.

What are the applications of UWB indoor positioning?

Can be used for logistics warehousing, assisting automated equipment in cargo handling and inventory management; In smart homes, providing precise location for devices to achieve intelligent control; It can also be used for indoor navigation scenarios such as shopping mall guides and museum guides, as well as providing precise positioning information for indoor robots to help them navigate autonomously.

What is the cost of UWB positioning?

The cost of UWB positioning system includes hardware equipment cost, deployment cost, and maintenance cost. In terms of hardware, the prices of devices such as base stations and tags are relatively high; When deploying, it is necessary to plan and install reasonably according to the positioning area, which may involve certain engineering costs; The maintenance cost includes equipment updates, software upgrades, etc. However, with the development of technology and the expansion of market size, there is a gradual downward trend in costs.

What is the range of UWB positioning?

In general, the measurement range of UWB technology can reach about 33 meters, and under ideal conditions, it can even reach over 50 meters. However, in practical applications, the positioning range may be affected by environmental factors and may vary.

What is the accuracy of UWB positioning?

UWB positioning technology can provide sub centimeter level positioning accuracy, generally ranging from a few centimeters to tens of centimeters, with higher accuracy under ideal conditions, which is one of its important advantages

What is the function of UWB base station?

UWB base stations are a key component of positioning systems, used to receive and transmit UWB signals, communicate with tags, and provide data support for positioning calculations by measuring parameters such as signal flight time or time difference, thereby determining the location of tags.

What are the components of UWB positioning system?

A typical UWB positioning system includes fixed base stations (anchor points) and mobile tags. Base stations are generally installed in fixed indoor locations, while tags are installed on equipment or personnel that require positioning. The base station and tag communicate through UWB signals to measure and transmit location information.

What is the difference between UWB positioning and other positioning technologies?

Compared with positioning technologies such as Bluetooth and WiFi, UWB has high positioning accuracy, reaching centimeter level, while Bluetooth and WiFi usually have lower accuracy. UWB has strong anti-interference ability, signal transmission is not affected by other RF interference, and has low transmission power, large system capacity, and fast transmission speed, while Bluetooth and WiFi are relatively weak in these aspects.

What is the principle of UWB positioning technology?

UWB positioning technology typically uses bidirectional time-of-flight (TW-TOF) ranging, where modules transmit and receive pulse signals and calculate the distance by calculating the signal's time of flight. When positioning, algorithms such as trilateration or Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) are used to determine the tag position based on the distance between multiple base stations and the tag. Like TDOA technology, the tag emits a UWB signal once, and different base stations determine the tag position based on the time difference of the received signal.

UWB positioning uwb positioning system：UWB positioning module, positioning tag card, positioning base station

UWB positioning tag card, DW1000PA solution, excavation face tunnel mine personnel positioning base station system

UWB ultra wideband high-precision ranging without development of electronic fence MK8000 personnel positioning DW1000

UWB domestic ranging and positioning module MK8000 high-precision electronic fence lawn mower small car following application

UWB positioning distance measurement single base station two-dimensional positioning tunneling equipment electronic fence domestic chip base station board 485

UWB positioning and ranging tunnel, electronic fence for mine excavation face, domestic DW1000 base station board, UART/RJ45

UWB Positioning And Ranging Base Station TOF Algorithm High-precision Mining Machine Mining Car Integrated Electronic Fence Excavation Face Solution

UWB Positioning Tag Card Domestic DW1000PA Solution Single Base Station Two-dimensional Excavation Face Equipment Electronic Fence

UWB Ranging Positioning, High-power Ultra Wideband Centimeter Level Ultra Precision Coal Mine Personnel Positioning, DW1000PA+LNA

MK8000PA+LNA high-power omnidirectional 300m TOF positioning electronic fence elevator floor distance measurement module

Coal Mine Personnel Positioning System - Based on UWB Technology with Electronic Fence Function

1、 Overview of the Plan
The "AQ 1119-2023 General Technical Conditions for Coal Mine Underground Personnel Positioning System", which will come into effect on August 20, 2023, requires that there must be personnel positioning related supporting facilities that meet coal safety standards in coal mine safety production. Starting from 2024, Shanxi Province will require electronic fence functions to be installed at excavation sites and other locations, including but not limited to laser radar UWB、 Video analysis and other methods are also being followed up by provinces such as Guizhou, which puts higher demands on personnel positioning systems.
The UWB personnel positioning system can achieve real-time personnel/asset positioning by deploying UWB positioning base stations in relevant underground areas and assigning UWB positioning tags to personnel/assets, enhancing the control of dangerous areas and effectively preventing safety accidents. The average positioning accuracy is less than 30cm, and the coverage radius is greater than 400m. Within the coverage radius, electronic fence functions can be freely configured, such as for excavation face related issues. When entering 15m (configurable), an alarm prompt will be immediately triggered, and when entering 5m (configurable), forced shutdown will be implemented!

2、 Scheme Introduction
Composed of UWB base stations, UWB tags, communication protocols, etc.

One base station board has two base station modules, and a single base station can achieve one-dimensional positioning, which can effectively reduce the number of base stations and enable interoperability upon power on. The base station board interface TTL/485/Rj45 is optional and can easily access various backend systems. It has the advantages of simple deployment, stable system, and controllable cost.

Working principle: In the tunnel positioning system, the positioning tags worn by personnel or objects use UWB pulse signals to transmit location data, which is received by the positioning base station. The distance between the tag and the base station is calculated based on the signal flight time, and then the positioning engine collects the distance between different base stations and the tag to calculate the current position of the tag and display it in real time.
Attention: The positioning scheme for coal mine personnel in coal safety standards generally adopts one-dimensional positioning. In locations where there are bends or turns in the mine, UWB base stations need to be appropriately added for positioning compensation.

3、 Advantages of the plan
3.1 Real time personnel positioning
Real time personnel location tracking, keeping track of personnel dynamics anytime, anywhere;
◆ Personnel location can be queried by card number, name, etc.

3.2 Electronic fence
◆ Flexible setting of hazardous areas (such as excavation faces) and alarm rules;
◆ Alarm management for personnel approaching dangerous areas to ensure their safe activities.

3.3 SOS alarm and paging issuance
On site personnel can send SOS alarm information to the system in real-time through the positioning tag button;
Monitoring room/backend personnel can issue calls to corresponding personnel or all staff through the system.

3.4 Historical trajectory storage and playback
◆ Trajectory storage: It can store personnel movement trajectories for a long time, providing decision-making basis for event handling;
◆ Trajectory replay: It can replay the activity trajectories of personnel within a specified time period by card number and region.

3.5 Can be combined with intelligent attendance, etc
Based on the output data records, attendance areas can be customized and departmental attendance shifts can be set; Automatically determine lateness and early departure, and generate attendance reports automatically; Record commuting time and on duty time;

4、 Conclusion
The main advantages of UWB positioning include low power consumption, insensitivity to channel fading (such as multipath, non line of sight, etc.), strong anti-interference ability, no interference to other devices in the same environment, strong penetration (able to locate in an environment that penetrates a brick wall, data output needs to be corrected), and high positioning accuracy and precision.

Technology | 2D PDOA plane positioning scheme

1、 Overview of the Plan
The two-dimensional plane positioning system adopts UWB positioning technology with an accuracy of up to 30cm. Through the PDOA algorithm, real-time personnel positioning in a single base station two-dimensional plane can be achieved, enhancing the control of dangerous areas and effectively preventing safety accidents. In the face of emergencies, being able to promptly report and respond to the alarm provides strong protection for personnel safety.

2、 Single base station two-dimensional plane positioning scheme
Using the PDOA algorithm principle, a base station board with 4 antennas can achieve two-dimensional positioning with a single base station. Compared to the current multiple base stations on the market, the use of wired synchronous timing effectively reduces the number of base stations and lowers installation costs. 485 interface, which can easily access various backend systems, has the advantages of simple deployment, stable system, and controllable cost.

(1) Real time personnel positioning solution
Real time personnel location tracking, keeping track of personnel dynamics anytime, anywhere;
Personnel location, coordinates, trajectory, etc. can be queried by card number, name, etc.

(2) Electronic fence solution
Flexible setting of hazardous areas and alarm rules;
Alarm management should be implemented for personnel approaching hazardous areas to ensure their safe activities.

(3) SOS alarm and paging scheme
On site personnel can send SOS alarm information to the system in real-time through the positioning tag button;
Monitoring room/backend personnel can issue calls to corresponding personnel or all staff through the system.

(4) Historical trajectory storage and playback
Trajectory storage: It can store personnel movement trajectories for a long time, providing decision-making basis for event handling;
Trajectory replay: It can replay the personnel activity trajectory within a specified time period by card number and region.

uwb positioning ultra wide band location

Technical analysis: One dimensional mine/tunnel personnel positioning scheme

1、 Overview of the Plan
The high-precision personnel positioning system for mine tunnels/tunnels adopts UWB positioning technology with an accuracy of up to 30cm. Through electronic fence management and other functions, real-time personnel positioning can be achieved, enhancing the control of dangerous areas and effectively preventing safety accidents. In the face of emergencies, being able to respond promptly to rescue and provide strong guarantees for personnel safety.

2、 Mine/tunnel personnel positioning plan
Utilizing high-precision UWB positioning series products to assist personnel management in mines/tunnels, with one base station board and two base station modules, a single base station can achieve one-dimensional positioning, effectively reducing the number of base stations and enabling interoperability upon power on.
The interface TTL/485/Rj45 is optional and can easily access various backend systems. It has the advantages of simple deployment, stable system, and controllable cost.

3、 Advantages of the plan
(1) Real time personnel positioning
Real time personnel location tracking, keeping track of personnel dynamics anytime, anywhere;
◆ Personnel location can be queried by card number, name, etc.

(2) Electronic fence
◆ Flexible setting of hazardous areas (such as excavation faces) and alarm rules;
◆ Alarm management for personnel approaching dangerous areas to ensure their safe activities.

(3) SOS alarm and paging issuance
On site personnel can send SOS alarm information to the system in real-time through the positioning tag button;
Monitoring room/backend personnel can issue calls to corresponding personnel or all staff through the system.

(4) Historical trajectory storage and playback
◆ Trajectory storage: It can store personnel movement trajectories for a long time, providing decision-making basis for event handling;
◆ Trajectory replay: It can replay the activity trajectories of personnel within a specified time period by card number and region.

High precision personnel positioning in coal mines and tunnels - Introduction to TOF one-dimensional positioning scheme based on UWB technology

By deploying UWB positioning base stations within the positioning area, personnel/materials can wear UWB positioning tags to accurately locate the location information of personnel/materials in real-time within the area, with an average positioning accuracy of up to cm level.

In recent years, the country has issued different requirements for intelligent transformation of various complex work scenarios. Among them, the coal mines, pipe galleries, and tunnel scenes that require the highest personnel positioning requirements have been targeted by Silicon Transmission Technology with a centimeter level positioning accuracy UWB TOF one-dimensional positioning solution for high-precision personnel positioning and environmental perception needs in coal mines, tunnels, mine tunnels, and other application scenarios. Conveniently combining technologies such as the Internet of Things and GIS visualization, the system intelligently analyzes data and displays it in three dimensions, allowing managers to have a comprehensive understanding of the spatial location of personnel and vehicles in the entire underground area on a large screen. This enables real-time safety warnings and intelligent control of emergency situations, greatly ensuring the safety production of coal mines and tunnels, and promoting the intelligent development of related industries.

Composed of UWB base stations, UWB tags, UWB positioning engine algorithms, UWB positioning software, etc.

Working principle: In the tunnel positioning system, the positioning tags worn by personnel or objects use UWB pulse signals to transmit location data, which is received by the positioning base station. The distance between the tag and the base station is calculated based on the signal flight time, and then the positioning engine collects the distance between different base stations and the tag to calculate the current position of the tag and display it in real time.

Attention: The positioning scheme for coal mine personnel in coal safety standards generally adopts one-dimensional positioning. In locations where there are bends or turns in the mine, UWB base stations need to be appropriately added for positioning compensation.

01. Precise positioning: positioning accuracy<30cm;

02. Long range coverage: UWB base stations have an effective coverage distance of 400m;

03. Personnel management: Real time statistics and identification of on-site personnel, intelligent tracing of personnel trajectories;

04. One click distress call: When staff encounter danger, they can press the alarm button on the label to report to the management platform for timely response and handling; Similarly, if the platform detects a dangerous situation, it can issue an emergency evacuation signal to notify personnel in the corresponding area to avoid it;

05. Electronic fence: The platform can designate safety zone electronic fences and access control electronic fences based on the actual working conditions of the tunnel, and trigger corresponding levels of alarms when entering.

One dimensional positioning with a coverage range of over 800 meters

1) One dimensional positioning is suitable for positioning in spaces with narrow broadband directions, such as mine tunnels and tunnels;

2) Install a base station every 800m (in open environments) with a positioning accuracy of<30cm;

3) When there are large bends or turns in the roadway/tunnel, it is necessary to increase the base station compensation appropriately;

4) A single base station can achieve clear one-dimensional positioning (direction determination);

5) The dual base station version defaults to PCBA shipment.

Real time location display and monitoring: tracking individual movement trajectories; Search/filter personnel location information in the statistical list;

System management: map support, real-time monitoring of base station working status, configuration of various functional parameters;

Electronic fence: drawing polygonal fences; Flexible fence rules are composed of three conditions: entry, stay, and exit, for docking permissions;

Intelligent attendance: Customize attendance areas and set department attendance shifts; Automatically determine lateness and early departure, and generate attendance reports automatically; Record commuting time and on duty time;

Organizational structure and personnel management: customizable organizational structure, easy management of department levels, low battery reminders, paging/SOS records

Track playback: Flexibly filter playback by personnel, time period, and region; Intelligent filtering to remove time periods without location data; Multi target and multi speed playback of historical trajectories;

Automatic inspection: automatic repair reporting in the inspection area; By precise positioning and facial recognition, we can solve the problem of personnel on-site and eliminate missed detections and false information; Visualize process status and implement visual closed-loop management;

Call for Help: When an employee encounters an emergency situation, they can long press the "Call for Help" button in the tag to send a distress signal in a timely manner. After receiving the distress signal, the management software will pop up a window to prompt the supervisor to handle it in a timely manner; Similarly, after the regulatory personnel click on the evacuation command on the real-time monitoring interface of the software, they select the area that needs to be evacuated through the mouse. The software backend will send evacuation commands to the employees in that area. After receiving the evacuation command, the tags carried by the employees in the area will alert the personnel to evacuate the dangerous area urgently through sound and light alarms.

Conclusion

The main advantages of UWB positioning include low power consumption, insensitivity to channel fading (such as multipath, non line of sight, etc.), strong anti-interference ability, no interference to other devices in the same environment, strong penetration (able to locate in an environment that penetrates a brick wall), and high positioning accuracy and precision.

UWB Mine Personnel Positioning Scheme

What is UWB and its technological applications?

1、 Overview of UWB

Ultra Wide Band (UWB): a relative bandwidth exceeding 20% of the center frequency, or possessing an absolute bandwidth of over 500MHz. UWB usually refers to Impulse Radio Ultra Wideband (IR-UWB).

UWB is not a new thing. In its early days, it was mainly used for high-precision positioning for the B-end. Since Apple released the iPhone 11 in 2019, which supports UWB, applications for the C-end have attracted the attention of mobile phone manufacturers and car manufacturers.

Before 2004, IEEE 802.15.3a was dedicated to wireless high-speed data transmission within a 10 meter range based on UWB. In 2004, IEEE established the 802.15.4a working group to develop the UWB physical layer standard, shifting its focus to high-precision positioning. The FCC has allocated a total of 7.5GHz frequency band from 3.1-10.6GHz for UWB, but strictly limits the UWB radiation power to -14dBm.

The leader in the UWB positioning chip industry is Decawave. Relatively weak points have been accumulated in this area domestically, but there are also follow-up measures. There is also NXP's UWB chip for all scenarios, which Samsung uses. Apple uses its self-developed U1 chip. Decawave is currently the world's largest UWB positioning chip manufacturer. Decawave has a variety of products from chip development kits, and they are very cheap with low trial costs.

2、 UWB positioning technology

The basis of UWB positioning is ToF/ToA ranging. The simple TOF algorithm has a strict constraint: the sending and receiving devices must always be synchronized. This is a rather tricky problem, but a Double sided Two way Ranging algorithm cleverly avoids it. It not only utilizes the excellent characteristics of TOF ranging, but also greatly eliminates the synchronization problem of TOF, thus clearing the way for the practical application of TOF.

Another foundation of UWB positioning is the use of AOA and AOD angle measurement. At least two antennas are required, with a distance of d. When electromagnetic waves are emitted, the two antennas have an optical path difference. Those who have studied the principles of electromagnetic waves know that knowing the phase difference can determine the optical path difference, and knowing the distance between the optical path difference and the antenna can calculate the angle. Therefore, the angle can be obtained by measuring the phase difference between two waves. This is the principle of angle measurement.

The positioning principle through angle measurement is that the position of the terminal can be determined by knowing the positions of two or more base stations and adding the angles measured by AoA/AoD. The positioning principle through distance measurement is to calculate the distance from three or more base stations to the terminal based on ToF, in order to determine the location of the terminal. So, what if there is only one base station? We usually do it through antenna arrays.

The three-point ranging positioning is flawed because it requires TOF measurement and synchronization between the base station and the terminal. Therefore, the industry usually adopts another method called TDOA. By measuring the transmission delay difference between two different base stations and terminals for positioning, each base station corresponds to a hyperbola, and the intersection point of the hyperbola is the target point. Because the location of the base station is fixed, synchronization between base stations and between base stations and mobile terminals is much easier to achieve.

The above discussion mainly focuses on absolute positioning. Next, we will discuss the application of relative positioning technology. The principle of UWB relative positioning is that a device with two antennas measures the angle through AoA based on the arrival phase difference, and measures the distance through SS-TWR ranging based on ToF. By combining the relative distance and azimuth between two devices, the relative position of the two devices can be calculated. The advantage is that it is easy to deploy and does not require the deployment of additional base stations.

UWB's nanosecond narrow pulse and low duty cycle enable UWB to achieve centimeter level positioning accuracy, which is the advantage of UWB over all other non pulse communications in positioning. UWB naturally has higher security, and its use of measuring latency rather than signal strength can effectively prevent relay attacks.

Decawave has conducted a comparison of various positioning technologies. The comparison results show that UWB is superior to other technologies in terms of accuracy and reliability, and also has significant advantages in security, latency, scalability, and power consumption.

Compared to the emerging Bluetooth 5.1 positioning technology, I believe that UWB has five advantages:

1. UWB is more specialized in positioning. Bluetooth may also need to consider other functions, and from the perspective of positioning technology, there are too many redundant things. In this regard, UWB is superior.

2. Multipath effect. For example, in spatial applications such as rooms, if there are multiple signal reflections, it may be difficult to distinguish them. In this regard, UWB's short pulses and low duty cycle make reflection difficult to stack and can be accurately distinguished. In this regard, UWB wins.

3. Measurement principle. As can be seen from the previous text, UWB is more accurate.

4. Error. The square negative correlation of signal strength distance, Bluetooth ranging can only be called evaluation, not measurement. The assessment is far or near, but it cannot be clearly stated what point or how many meters it is. For example, assuming the angle measurement error is 5 degrees, if two devices are 10 meters apart, the positioning deviation is about 1.8m. However, if they are 50m apart, the positioning deviation may be as high as 8.87m. This is because after the angle is determined, a cone shape is formed, and the longer the cone shape, the larger the opening. I didn't draw here, can you imagine? In this regard, UWB has smaller errors.

5. Technological maturity. At present, UWB is more mature in terms of software and hardware than Bluetooth 5.1 positioning, at least we have seen UWB mature products now.

3、 UWB Data Transmission Technology

UWB high-speed data transmission mainly follows the 802.15.3 specification before 2004. Originally, Intel and Samsung were very active in building wireless personal area networks, but with the emergence of Wi Fi 5/6, the advantages are no longer significant. The standards were not established and the industry did not keep up, so it turned yellow.

Now, the evolving standard is UWB low-speed data transmission under the 802.15.4 specification, mainly serving precise positioning and secure communication. Its main evolution directions are precision, data rate, and security.

In terms of point-to-point secure transmission, UWB has a wider sensing range, higher transmission speed, and stronger resistance to relay attacks compared to NFC. Compared to Wi Fi, UWB is more suitable for low-speed, dense terminal data transmission in harsh environments. We are not saying that UWB should replace NFC, but based on its precise distance measurement, UWB can fully exist as an auxiliary mode of NFC to improve user interaction experience.

In addition, in terms of high-speed data transmission, the current focus is mainly on higher frequency spectra and more complex modulation methods, and pulse UWB is not under consideration.

4、 This Life: UWB Application Scenarios

With the enabling of UWB by mobile devices, the application scenarios of UWB have gradually evolved from interaction between tags and fixed base stations to interaction between mobile devices and fixed base stations/mobile devices based on relative positioning.

Smart access control. The key to security lies in proving that both the person and the credential are present. Proving that 'people are here' is as important as proof. The industry often combines multiple technologies together, such as using Bluetooth for device discovery, UWB for precise positioning, and NFC as a backup entry method when the phone runs out of battery. UWB is an auxiliary method, traditional methods should continue to exist!

Location services. There are traditional positioning methods, but UWB positioning can also be used for lens tracking and in nearby pairing scenarios. For example, pairing headphones with a computer, when a phone call comes and you bring your phone over, the headphones automatically pair with your phone, and so on.

Accurate offline search for people and things. This is a complete solution. Simply put, even if the phone is not connected to the internet, it can obtain a rough GPS location through a third-party phone. Then, combined with AR, the device's precise location can be obtained through UWB. For example, Apple's AirTag.

New interactive methods. After sliding on the screen, the directional interaction mode with the device in the direction of the trajectory is also similar.

Interactive games. For example, two people can each use a slider to hit a moving ball onto the screen of another device, or engage in multiplayer AR battles or reposition multi screen interactions.

Currently, major terminal manufacturers have started to partially apply UWB technology. The main scenarios include contactless digital keys, directional interaction, and searching for people and things. For mobile phone companies, UWB may become a standard configuration in the future, just like Bluetooth and GPS.

5、 Future: Reflection and Summary

Finally, some thoughts on the prospects of UWB relative positioning. We know that almost all smartphones support Bluetooth and Wi Fi, but NFC is not. UWB requires deployment at least on the same scale as NFC. In addition, there needs to be a killer application.

The viewpoints of this article can be summarized into the following four points, and we welcome everyone to refer to and discuss them together:

(1) UWB relative positioning is a key application point of UWB technology;

(2) If the positioning requirements are reliability, stability, accuracy, and reproducibility, UWB has more advantages than Bluetooth 5.1;

(3) UWB low-speed data transmission instead of high-speed data transmission;

(4) UWB still has a long way to go, at least requiring deployment on the same scale as NFC. In addition, there needs to be a killer application.

Difficulties in UWB positioning applications

1、 After voice and video, location will be the third most important data. As a fundamental attribute of all things, location sensing technology will be greatly developed in the future. Technologies such as video location sensing, radar ranging, UWB ranging, etc. all belong to location sensing. Among them, UWB, due to its unique technology and high-frequency high pulse communication, has become a hot topic of public research, especially after the 2022 epidemic. The demand for real-time notification and tracing of personnel location through lockdown, flow control, and investigation has added more humanistic care to technology compared to simple and crude means such as location codes.

UWB can accurately obtain the signal arrival time, and through TOF precise ranging, it has small errors and high accuracy. Of course, the cost is sacrificing bandwidth and communication efficiency, as high-frequency data transmission does not support high bandwidth.

2、 At present, in the application environment, except for a few one-dimensional scenarios such as mine tunnels/tunnels, most of them use the triangulation positioning method (TDOA) for two-dimensional and three-dimensional positioning. However, this method has several troublesome points:

1. Each location that needs to be located must have at least 3 visible base station signal coverage. The entire positioning area achieves seamless coverage within line of sight. Both in terms of the layout of base stations and the utilization efficiency of base stations, it is quite uneconomical.

2. Timing synchronization of base stations. The difficulty and cost of wiring construction should be considered when using wired methods; When using wireless methods, issues such as synchronization frequency and packet loss need to be considered. Not to mention the complexity and economy of the operation, in complex on-site situations, it may even be an impossible task to complete.

3. Every scene needs to be accurately surveyed. Due to different environments, different projects require the establishment of on-site coordinate systems, precise calibration of each base station coordinate, and extensive data collection for correction. This method is basically impossible to replicate and promote, as all projects are customized projects with high costs and long cycles.

3、 Difficulties in backend system

1. Complex fault-tolerant solution mechanism. Can a high level of accuracy stability be guaranteed in complex environments with multiple occlusions (such as in equipment workshops or multi shelf storage environments). Because multipath problems are inevitable and there is not much prior information in the on-site environment, it cannot be solved by a simple Kalman filter. To achieve intelligence, adaptability, and stability, deep algorithm skills are required, and at least a mature algorithm team is needed in the future.

2. Hardware underlying optimization mechanism. To perfectly adapt to an application, it is necessary to balance precision, refresh rate, power consumption, capacity, and other factors. These indicators cannot be solely based on promotional numbers, as they are interdependent and the underlying hardware optimization mechanisms are difficult to quantify. Generally, without a few years of deep cultivation, it is difficult to do well and there will be significant problems in large-scale applications.

3. Can it be presented intuitively and smoothly. What users need is not cold X and Y coordinate values, but seamless and intuitive tracking of personnel position switching and saving; What is needed is the automation of attendance and patrol in certain fixed areas, rather than simply saving historical trajectories; According to the level of on-site modeling and the requirement for intuitive display of human-machine aspects, these all need to be accumulated and accumulated.

4. Scale application issues. Is there a multi machine hot backup mechanism for projects with hundreds or thousands of tags; Does a project with thousands or tens of thousands of tags have the ability for multi machine cluster computing.

Overall, UWB positioning is currently an engineering problem rather than an academic one. Engineering issues involve costs, implementation efficiency, and stability. The current industry practice is to segment applications and simplify technology.

Subdivide the application. Everyone is deeply involved in various sub fields, so that the project site layout will be closer, and there will be experience reference for establishing the coordinate system. After a long time, practice can make perfect, greatly reducing the probability of engineering related problems, lowering costs, and improving project stability and efficiency. For example, focusing on power plants, prisons, nursing homes, and other industries, each industry has employees who are deeply involved in their cultivation.

Simplify technology. Directly abandoning complex project customization requirements and pursuing replicability. For example, launching standardized modules with functions such as distance measurement, parallelism, and low power consumption. Different customers can integrate the modules according to their needs to meet their specific application requirements in different scenarios; For example, launching a single base station two-dimensional positioning system, which only requires one base station for visual two-dimensional positioning on site, to avoid engineering problems such as installing multiple base stations. It is recommended to consult Shenzhen Xindachang Technology Co., Ltd. in this regard. With over ten years of experience in RF and five years of experience in UWB technology, both modules and PCBA can be easily mastered. Even if there are special backend system customization needs, they can be contacted for communication.

FAQ on Ultra Wideband Positioning System?

Q What are the precautions for installing UWB positioning system?

A
Base station layout: Base stations should be reasonably arranged according to the shape, size, and occlusion of the positioning area. In open areas, the distance between base stations can be appropriately increased; In areas with many obstructions (such as metal shelves and thick walls), it is necessary to deploy encrypted base stations to ensure signal coverage and positioning accuracy. For example, in a factory workshop, if there are large metal equipment, the base station should be installed in a location that can avoid equipment obstruction and effectively cover the surrounding area with signals.

Height and angle: It is generally recommended to install the base station at a height of 2-5 meters to ensure that the signal can cover the positioning space well, while avoiding being too low and obstructed by objects, or too high and causing complex signal reflection. The installation angle should enable the base station to receive tag signals within the maximum range, usually vertically downwards or adjusted according to the actual scene.

Cable connection and power supply: Ensure a secure cable connection between the base station and equipment such as switches, follow cable laying specifications, and avoid signal interference. For PoE (Power over Ethernet) base stations, it is necessary to ensure that the switch supports PoE functionality and that the power meets the requirements of the base station; Non PoE base stations require stable DC power supply, with voltage and current in accordance with equipment specifications.

Tag installation: When installing tags on the located object, it is necessary to ensure that the direction of tag signal transmission is not severely obstructed. If personnel wear tags, they should be worn in a conspicuous and unobstructed area of the body without excessive obstruction such as clothing; The installation position of tags on the device should consider the posture of the device during operation to ensure that the tags can always communicate normally with the base station.
Q How to debug UWB positioning system for optimal performance?

A
Initial parameter setting: Through system configuration software, set parameters such as base station ID, channel, and transmission power to ensure that the parameters of each base station are coordinated and consistent, and meet the requirements of actual application scenarios. For example, in multi story buildings, base stations on different floors can set up different channels to reduce signal interference between floors.

Calibration and Calibration: The system is calibrated using calibration points at known positions. By measuring the deviation between the actual and theoretical positions of the labels at these calibration points, system parameters are adjusted to improve positioning accuracy. Specialized calibration tools or software can be used to perform multiple calibrations according to the operating steps until the accuracy meets the requirements.

Signal strength and coverage testing: Use signal testing tools to detect the signal strength of base stations at different locations within the positioning area and draw a signal strength distribution map. For areas with weak or no signal, analyze the reasons and adjust parameters such as base station location, angle, or power to enhance signal coverage.

Positioning accuracy test: Arrange multiple test points in the positioning area, move the labels at these points, and observe the positioning results displayed by the system and the actual position error. If the error exceeds expectations, check the layout, parameter settings, algorithms, and other aspects of the base station for targeted optimization. Adjust the weighting coefficients of the positioning algorithm to balance the impact of different ranging methods on the positioning results.

System stability testing: Keep the positioning system running for a period of time and observe whether there are any abnormal situations such as packet loss or positioning interruption. If there are stability issues, investigate the reasons for network connection, device cooling, software compatibility, etc., and take measures such as replacing network devices, improving cooling conditions, and updating software versions to solve them.
Q What challenges does UWB positioning face in complex environments such as multipath interference and signal occlusion?

A

Multipath interference: In complex indoor environments, UWB signals can reflect off walls, floors, object surfaces, etc., causing the receiving end to receive signals from multiple different paths. These multipath signals have different arrival times and phases, which can interfere with each other, distort the signal waveform, and affect the ranging accuracy based on signal time of arrival (ToF) or time difference of arrival (TDOA), thereby reducing the positioning accuracy. For example, in large warehouses, metal shelves will strongly reflect UWB signals, increasing the degree of multipath interference.

Signal obstruction: Although UWB signals have a certain degree of penetration ability, when encountering thick walls, metal obstacles, etc., the signal strength will significantly weaken or even be completely obstructed. When there is obstruction between the tag and the base station, it may cause signal loss or distance measurement errors, resulting in positioning deviation or inability to locate. In areas such as operating rooms and intensive care units in hospitals, a large number of metal medical equipment and shielded doors can obstruct UWB signals.

Non line of sight propagation (NLOS): When there are obstacles in the signal propagation path that prevent the signal from propagating in a straight line to the receiving end, but instead propagate through reflection, diffraction, and other means, NLOS propagation occurs. NLOS propagation can cause the measured signal propagation time to be longer than the actual line of sight propagation time, resulting in ranging errors and affecting positioning accuracy. In underground parking lots, vehicles, pillars, etc. can cause NLOS propagation of UWB signals.
Q How to deal with the challenges of UWB positioning in complex environments?

A
Multipath interference response strategy: Adopting multipath suppression algorithms, such as RAKE receiver technology, it can separate signals from different paths and perform weighted merging to enhance useful signals and suppress interference signals. Optimize the layout of base stations, reasonably set the position and angle of base stations, reduce the overlap of signal reflection paths, and reduce the impact of multipath interference. Using UWB antennas with stronger anti multipath capabilities, such as directional antennas, can reduce the reception of reflected signals from non target directions.

Signal occlusion response strategy: Increase the number of base stations and ensure through redundant deployment that tags can still communicate with other unobstructed base stations even in the presence of occlusion. Using repeaters or signal amplifiers to enhance signal strength in areas prone to signal obstruction, ensuring effective signal transmission. For unavoidable strong obstructions such as metal, one can try changing their installation position or wrapping them with signal shielding materials to reduce interference with surrounding signals.

Non line of sight propagation response strategy: Use NLOS recognition algorithm to analyze signal characteristics (such as signal strength changes, arrival time fluctuations, etc.) to determine whether NLOS propagation exists, and correct the ranging results. Combined with other positioning technologies such as Inertial Navigation (INS), in NLOS situations, inertial sensor data is used to assist in positioning and compensate for the errors caused by NLOS in UWB positioning.
Q How to integrate UWB positioning and Bluetooth positioning?

A
Principle complementarity: UWB has high positioning accuracy, reaching centimeter level, but the deployment cost of base stations is high and the coverage range is relatively limited; Bluetooth positioning has low power consumption and low cost, suitable for large-scale low precision positioning. Integrating the two and utilizing UWB positioning in key areas that require high-precision positioning, such as assembly areas in factories and the vicinity of operating rooms in hospitals; In other areas with low precision requirements, Bluetooth positioning is used for coverage. For example, in large shopping malls, UWB is used internally to provide customers with precise navigation to product shelves, while in public passages and other areas, Bluetooth positioning is used to achieve rough tracking of customer locations.

Hardware integration: Develop composite positioning tags and base station devices that integrate UWB and Bluetooth functions. Tags can send and receive UWB signals, as well as communicate with Bluetooth beacons; The base station can also support the processing of UWB and Bluetooth signals simultaneously. This can reduce the number of devices, lower deployment complexity and costs.

Data fusion algorithm: Processing UWB and Bluetooth positioning data through fusion algorithms. For example, when the UWB signal is good, the UWB positioning result is mainly used; When UWB signals are severely obstructed or interfered with, switch to Bluetooth positioning results, and use algorithms such as Kalman filtering to smooth the data of both to ensure the continuity and stability of positioning.
Q How to integrate UWB positioning and inertial navigation?

A
Working mode switching: Inertial navigation system (INS) measures the acceleration and angular velocity of an object through accelerometers and gyroscopes, calculates the position and attitude changes of the object, but its errors accumulate over time. When the UWB signal is stable and can be effectively received, the accumulated error of INS is corrected in real time based on the UWB positioning result; When the UWB signal is lost (such as in areas with severe signal obstruction), it automatically switches to INS positioning, utilizing the short-term high-precision characteristics of INS to maintain the positioning function until the UWB signal is restored. For example, in underground mines, the positioning devices worn by miners use UWB positioning in open tunnels, and rely on INS to continue positioning when entering branch tunnels with poor signals.

Data fusion optimization: Using algorithms such as Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to fuse UWB and INS data. EKF can combine the high-precision positioning data of UWB with the continuous attitude and motion data of INS to comprehensively estimate the position, velocity, and attitude of objects, improving the accuracy and stability of positioning. Through fusion, even when the UWB signal is briefly interrupted, the current position can be predicted based on INS data and previous UWB data, making the positioning result smoother.
Q What are the application scenarios of UWB positioning technology?

A
UWB (Ultra Wideband) positioning technology has demonstrated unique application value in multiple fields due to its centimeter level accuracy, low latency, and strong anti-interference capabilities. The following are its core application scenarios and specific cases:

1、 Consumer Electronics and Smart Life

1. Interaction between smartphones and IoT devices

Scenario: The mobile phone accurately perceives the location of surrounding devices through UWB, achieving contactless interaction.

Case: The Apple iPhone 11/12 series is equipped with the U1 chip, which supports the "space sensing" function and can be used to control the volume of HomePod speakers and quickly find AirTag trackers (with centimeter level accuracy).

Extension: In smart homes, when the phone is close to the smart door lock, it automatically unlocks or points to the TV to switch channels.

2. Smart wearables and personnel tracking

Scenario: Preventing children/elderly from getting lost, tracking pets, and monitoring sports and health.

Case: Huawei Watch GT 4 supports UWB tag linkage, allowing parents to view their child's precise location in the mall in real-time; The gym tracks the user's movement trajectory and analyzes their posture through UWB.

2、 Industrial and Intelligent Manufacturing

1. Factory assets and personnel positioning

Scenario: Tracking production line equipment, AGV carts, worker positions, optimizing production processes, and ensuring safety.

Case: In automobile manufacturing factories, UWB positioning systems monitor the positions of robotic arms and material trucks in real time to avoid collisions; High risk areas (such as chemical workshops) restrict personnel from entering and trigger alarms.

Advantages: Strong resistance to metal obstruction and multi-path interference, suitable for complex industrial environments.

2. Warehouse logistics and automated sorting

Scenario: Accurately locate shelves, pallets, and AGV carts in an intelligent warehouse to improve sorting efficiency.

Case: JD's "Asia No.1" warehouse adopts UWB technology, and AGV cars automatically park on shelves through centimeter level positioning, cooperating with robotic arms to complete cargo grabbing, improving sorting efficiency by more than 30%.

3、 Indoor Navigation and Smart Space

1. Navigation for large venues (shopping malls, airports, hospitals)

Scenario: Provide real-time indoor map navigation for users, accurately guiding them to stores, boarding gates, consultation rooms, etc.

Case: Shanghai Pudong Airport introduces UWB positioning system, allowing passengers to view real-time location through a mobile app and navigate to security or boarding gates, reducing the average time by 50%; The museum achieves "precise guidance" through UWB, automatically playing explanations when approaching exhibits.

2. Assistance for blind and visually impaired individuals

Scenario: Real time path guidance is provided to visually impaired individuals through the linkage of UWB tags and obstacle sensors.

Case: Microsoft collaborates with a non-profit organization to develop the "Soundscape" system, which combines UWB positioning and audio feedback to help blind people identify obstacles and plan safe routes.

4、 Intelligent Transportation and Connected Vehicles

1. Keyless entry and vehicle safety

Scenario: When the car owner approaches the vehicle, UWB accurately identifies their identity and automatically unlocks the doors (to prevent relay attacks).

Case: BMW Digital Key Plus uses UWB technology to determine whether the owner is actually approaching the vehicle (rather than signal relay forgery), avoiding key duplication and theft.

2. Vehicle to vehicle/infrastructure collaboration (V2X)

Scenario: The vehicle perceives the real-time position of surrounding vehicles through UWB, predicts collision risks, and assists in autonomous driving.

Case: Ford tests UWB technology for automatic parking in parking lots, where vehicles achieve centimeter level precision parking by locating surrounding obstacles and parking lines; On highways, UWB can improve the accuracy of distance monitoring and reduce rear end collisions.

5、 Special Scenarios and Industry Applications

1. Tunnels and underground engineering

Scenario: Positioning workers and equipment during subway construction and mining to ensure emergency rescue efficiency.

Case: A tunnel project in Switzerland uses UWB positioning system to monitor the position of construction personnel in real time. Once a collapse occurs, the system can quickly lock in the coordinates of trapped personnel, shortening the rescue time.

2. Autonomous indoor flight of unmanned aerial vehicles

Scenario: In indoor inspection and logistics distribution, drones use UWB to achieve centimeter level positioning and avoid obstacles.

Case: Amazon Prime Air tests UWB for indoor drone delivery, accurately landing on designated desktops; The power company uses UWB positioning drones to autonomously inspect equipment in the substation.

6、 Medical and Health Management

1. Hospital assets and patient tracking

Scenario: Track wheelchairs, infusion pumps, and high-risk patients (such as Alzheimer's disease patients) to prevent them from getting lost or losing equipment.

Case: The Mayo Clinic in the United States has deployed a UWB system, allowing nurses to view the location of oxygen cylinders in real-time through a tablet, reducing device search time; In the psychiatric ward, patients wear UWB tags that automatically sound an alarm when they cross the line.

2. Precise surgical positioning

Scenario: Combining UWB with medical imaging to assist doctors in accurately locating lesions or instrument positions during surgery.

Research direction: Some medical institutions are exploring the use of UWB for minimally invasive interventional surgery, reducing radiation exposure and surgical errors by locating the position of the catheter.

Summary: The Core Advantages and Future Trends of UWB

Advantages: Compared to technologies such as Bluetooth and WiFi, UWB has irreplaceable advantages in precision (centimeter level vs. meter level), anti-interference (wideband low-power), and real-time (nanosecond level pulse).

Trend: With the decrease in chip costs (driven by manufacturers such as Decawave and Apple) and standardization (IEEE 802.15.4z), UWB will penetrate from high-end scenarios (such as automotive and industrial) to the consumer market, becoming one of the underlying positioning technologies for the "Internet of Things".

If you need to further understand the technical details or implementation plan of a certain scenario, feel free to ask additional questions at any time!
Q What is the development prospect of UWB positioning?

A
UWB positioning technology has broad application prospects in indoor positioning, intelligent transportation, intelligent manufacturing and other fields due to its high precision and anti-interference characteristics. With the continuous development of technology and the reduction of costs, its application scope will continue to expand, and it is expected to be popularized and promoted in more fields.
Q Can UWB positioning be combined with other technologies?

A
Yes, for example, in large indoor places, UWB can achieve high-precision positioning. In areas where UWB signals are difficult to penetrate, Bluetooth technology can be combined for blind positioning. Bluetooth provides lower precision location information, while UWB provides high-precision location information. The combination of the two provides a more comprehensive and flexible positioning solution.
Q How to achieve UWB positioning based on Arduino?

A
It can be implemented using an Arduino development board combined with UWB modules (such as the DW1000 module). Firstly, program the Arduino and configure the parameters of the UWB module to achieve communication and signal measurement between modules. Then, using the distance data obtained from the measurement, the position information is calculated through a positioning algorithm. For example, with the help of the ESP32uUWB (DW1000) module indoor positioning open-source project, one can refer to its code and algorithm to implement UWB positioning based on Arduino.
Q How to achieve UWB 3D positioning?

A
By arranging multiple UWB base stations, a three-dimensional positioning network is formed. By using algorithms such as trilateration or TDOA, combined with the distance information between the tag and different base stations, the coordinate position of the tag in three-dimensional space is calculated to achieve 3D positioning.
Q Can UWB be used for drone positioning?

A
Yes, UWB can be used for indoor positioning of drones, providing accurate location information to help them achieve autonomous flight, obstacle avoidance, and precise landing in indoor environments, improving the safety and accuracy of drone flight in complex indoor environments.
Q What are the applications of UWB indoor positioning?

A
Can be used for logistics warehousing, assisting automated equipment in cargo handling and inventory management; In smart homes, providing precise location for devices to achieve intelligent control; It can also be used for indoor navigation scenarios such as shopping mall guides and museum guides, as well as providing precise positioning information for indoor robots to help them navigate autonomously.
Q What is the cost of UWB positioning?

A
The cost of UWB positioning system includes hardware equipment cost, deployment cost, and maintenance cost. In terms of hardware, the prices of devices such as base stations and tags are relatively high; When deploying, it is necessary to plan and install reasonably according to the positioning area, which may involve certain engineering costs; The maintenance cost includes equipment updates, software upgrades, etc. However, with the development of technology and the expansion of market size, there is a gradual downward trend in costs.
Q What is the range of UWB positioning?

A
In general, the measurement range of UWB technology can reach about 33 meters, and under ideal conditions, it can even reach over 50 meters. However, in practical applications, the positioning range may be affected by environmental factors and may vary.
Q What is the accuracy of UWB positioning?

A
UWB positioning technology can provide sub centimeter level positioning accuracy, generally ranging from a few centimeters to tens of centimeters, with higher accuracy under ideal conditions, which is one of its important advantages
Q What is the function of UWB base station?

A
UWB base stations are a key component of positioning systems, used to receive and transmit UWB signals, communicate with tags, and provide data support for positioning calculations by measuring parameters such as signal flight time or time difference, thereby determining the location of tags.
Q What are the components of UWB positioning system?

A
A typical UWB positioning system includes fixed base stations (anchor points) and mobile tags. Base stations are generally installed in fixed indoor locations, while tags are installed on equipment or personnel that require positioning. The base station and tag communicate through UWB signals to measure and transmit location information.
Q What is the difference between UWB positioning and other positioning technologies?

A
Compared with positioning technologies such as Bluetooth and WiFi, UWB has high positioning accuracy, reaching centimeter level, while Bluetooth and WiFi usually have lower accuracy. UWB has strong anti-interference ability, signal transmission is not affected by other RF interference, and has low transmission power, large system capacity, and fast transmission speed, while Bluetooth and WiFi are relatively weak in these aspects.
Q What is the principle of UWB positioning technology?

A
UWB positioning technology typically uses bidirectional time-of-flight (TW-TOF) ranging, where modules transmit and receive pulse signals and calculate the distance by calculating the signal's time of flight. When positioning, algorithms such as trilateration or Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) are used to determine the tag position based on the distance between multiple base stations and the tag. Like TDOA technology, the tag emits a UWB signal once, and different base stations determine the tag position based on the time difference of the received signal.

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PCB circuit board process capability

PCB manufacturing capability:
Layers: 2-30 PCB layers
Capacity: 80000 square meters per month
Delivery time: 7-15 days, urgent: 24-72 hours for shipment
PCB shape process edge: 3mm \ 5mm \ 10mm
Plate type: FR-4 \ Aluminum substrate \ Copper substrate\High Frequency PCB \High Tg Material\Impedance Control\HDI\Rigid-Flex PCB
Maximum size: 1500mm * 2000mm
Plate thickness: 0.5-30.0mm
CNC: ± 0.15mm, V-cutting plate: ± 0.15mm
Thickness tolerance (t ≥ 1.0mm) ± 10% IPC standard
Minimum line width/line spacing 3mil/3mil (0.075mm)
Minimum aperture: 0.1 \ 0.2mm (mechanical drilling)
Outer copper thickness: 1oz-12oz (35um-520um)
Ink colors: green, red, blue, white, black, purple, etc
Surface treatment: HASL \ ENIG \ Immersion Silver \ ENEPIG

PCB assembly SMT DIP capability:

Delivery time: Urgent 24-hour delivery
Assembly type: single/double-sided patch, shielded assembly
Production capacity: An average of 25 million patches per day
Component types: BGA, WLCSP, QFN, etc
Minimum pin of component: BGA: 0.3mm WLCSP: 0.35mm
Minimum installation material: 0201
Installation accuracy: ± 0.03mm
SMT PCB size: minimum 50 × 40mm, maximum 510 × 580mm
PCB type: FPC/PCB
Welding types: lead-free reflow soldering, lead-free wave soldering, manual soldering
Detection system: AOI (100%) X-ray manual sampling
Three proof paint coating, finished product assembly, IC burning, functional testing, DFM manufacturability analysis
DIP production capacity: 12000 pieces

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PCB and assembly product applications

PCBA application in consumer electronics

PCBA application in the medical field

PCBA application in the field of Internet of Things

PCBA application in automotive electronics

PCBA is used in communication equipment

PCBA is used in instruments and meters

PCB and Assembly Industry News

Revealing The Hidden Killer of SMT Patch Processing: Electronic Parts Displacement And X-RAY Efficient Detection Technology

Revealing the hidden killer of SMT patch processing: electronic parts displacement and X-RAY efficient detection technologySMT patch processing is a process technology composed of multiple processes such as patch, DIP plug-in, and testing. Each process technology has different functions.

2025-01-13

Revealing The Hidden Killer of SMT Patch Processing: Electronic Parts Displacement And X-RAY Efficient Detection Technology

Customers Tend To Choose PCBA One-stop Service, What Secrets Do You Need To Know?

Customers tend to choose PCBA one-stop service, what secrets do you need to know?Efficient and convenientOne-stop service integrates various links such as PCB design, component procurement, assembly and testing, which greatly shortens the cycle from product design to mass production.

2025-01-13

Customers Tend To Choose PCBA One-stop Service, What Secrets Do You Need To Know?

SMT Patch Factory Quality Requirements for PCBA Wave Soldering?

SMT patch factory quality requirements for PCBA wave soldering?With the widespread application of PCB circuit boards in various industries, the demand for small-batch PCB proofing in the trial production stage of finished products is increasing. For welding quality, reliability is crucial, and this

2025-01-22

SMT Patch Factory Quality Requirements for PCBA Wave Soldering?

PCBA: A Comprehensive Analysis From Concept To Application

PCBA: A comprehensive analysis from concept to applicationTable of ContentsWhat is PCBA?Manufacturing process of PCBAKey technologies of PCBAApplication fields of PCBAQuality control of PCBAFuture development trend of PCBAHow to choose a PCBA supplier?FAQ1. What is PCBA?PCBA (Printed Circuit Board A

2025-02-06

PCBA: A Comprehensive Analysis From Concept To Application

What Causes PCB Short Circuit?

PCB (Printed Circuit Board) short circuit refers to an electrical connection that occurs between two or more points on the circuit board that should not be connected, resulting in circuit abnormality. There are many reasons for PCB short circuits, and the following are some common reasons:Solder pro

2025-01-22

What Causes PCB Short Circuit?

Manufacturability Design (DFM) in PCB Manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, manufacturability design (DFM) is a crucial task that runs through the entire PCB design process. It aims to ensure that PCBS can be manufactured efficiently and at low cost during the production process, while guaranteeing the reliability and consistency of the products.

2025-06-09

Manufacturability Design (DFM) in PCB Manufacturing

Clarity Control of Character Printing in PCB Manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, the clarity of character printing directly affects production traceability, assembly efficiency and product reliability.

2025-06-09

Clarity Control of Character Printing in PCB Manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, the clarity of character printing directly affects production traceability, assembly efficiency and product reliability.

The design and fabrication of solder mask Bridges in PCB manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, the design and fabrication of solder mask Bridges are of vital importance, directly affecting the soldering quality and product reliability.

2025-06-06

The design and fabrication of solder mask Bridges in PCB manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, the design and fabrication of solder mask Bridges are of vital importance, directly affecting the soldering quality and product reliability.

Solutions for Burrs in PCB Manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, the solutions to burrs during drilling can start from optimizing materials, equipment, process parameters, and post-processing, etc.

2025-06-06

Solutions for Burrs in PCB Manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, the solutions to burrs during drilling can start from optimizing materials, equipment, process parameters, and post-processing, etc.

Pressure Control in The Lamination Process in PCB Manufacturing

In the lamination process of PCB manufacturing, pressure control is a key factor affecting the bonding quality, electrical performance and mechanical strength of multi-layer boards.

2025-06-05

Pressure Control in The Lamination Process in PCB Manufacturing

In the lamination process of PCB manufacturing, pressure control is a key factor affecting the bonding quality, electrical performance and mechanical strength of multi-layer boards.

The Precision Requirements for Graphic Transfer in PCB Manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, the precision requirements for pattern transfer are extremely high, which directly affects the performance and reliability of the circuit board.

2025-06-05

The Precision Requirements for Graphic Transfer in PCB Manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, the precision requirements for pattern transfer are extremely high, which directly affects the performance and reliability of the circuit board.

Analysis of Moisture-proof Measures for Transparent Film Three-Dimensional Packaging Machines

During the packaging process of the transparent film three-dimensional packaging machine, if effective moisture-proof measures are not taken, it may lead to the packaged items getting damp and deteriorating, affecting product quality and market competitiveness.

2025-06-04

Analysis of Moisture-proof Measures for Transparent Film Three-Dimensional Packaging Machines

Methods for Improving The Stability of Transparent Film Three-dimensional Packaging Machines

The stability improvement of the transparent film three-dimensional packaging machine requires comprehensive optimization from four dimensions: mechanical structure, electrical control, process adaptation and environmental adaptability.

2025-06-04

Methods for Improving The Stability of Transparent Film Three-dimensional Packaging Machines

Common Problems in The Development Process in PCB Manufacturing

In the developing process of PCB manufacturing, common problems and their solutions are as follows. The occurrence of these problems may directly affect the accuracy, resolution of the circuit pattern and the electrical performance of the final product

2025-06-04

Common Problems in The Development Process in PCB Manufacturing

Parameter Control of Exposure Process in PCB Manufacturing

In the exposure process of PCB manufacturing, parameter control is of vital importance, directly affecting the accuracy and quality of the circuit pattern.

2025-06-04

Parameter Control of Exposure Process in PCB Manufacturing

In the exposure process of PCB manufacturing, parameter control is of vital importance, directly affecting the accuracy and quality of the circuit pattern.

The Inner Layer Circuit Is Fabricated in The PCB Manufacturing Process

The production of inner layer circuits is a core link in PCB manufacturing. Its process mainly includes cutting the board, pre-treatment, lamination, exposure, development, etching, film removal and inner layer inspection, as follows

2025-06-03

The Inner Layer Circuit Is Fabricated in The PCB Manufacturing Process

The Technology of Outer Circuit Production in PCB Manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, the production of outer circuit layers is a crucial step, involving multiple processes such as pretreatment, lamination, exposure, development, etching, film removal, and post-processing.

2025-06-03

The Technology of Outer Circuit Production in PCB Manufacturing

How To Layout Components in A PCB To Improve Manufacturability

In PCB (Printed Circuit Board) layout, the reasonable arrangement of components is a key step to improve manufacturability.

2025-05-14

How To Layout Components in A PCB To Improve Manufacturability

In PCB (Printed Circuit Board) layout, the reasonable arrangement of components is a key step to improve manufacturability.

Layout optimization of components in PCB assembly

In PCB (Printed Circuit Board) assembly, the layout optimization of components is a key step to ensure the performance, reliability, manufacturability and maintainability of the circuit.

2025-05-06

Layout optimization of components in PCB assembly

In PCB (Printed Circuit Board) assembly, the layout optimization of components is a key step to ensure the performance, reliability, manufacturability and maintainability of the circuit.

Quality Control of Screen Printing Process in PCB Manufacturing

In PCB manufacturing, the quality control of the screen printing process is a key link to ensure the final quality and reliability of the product. Screen printing is mainly used to print characters, labels, symbols and solder mask marks on the surface of PCBS. Its quality directly affects the readability, assembly efficiency and subsequent maintenance of PCBS.

2025-05-22

Quality Control of Screen Printing Process in PCB Manufacturing

UWB positioning uwb positioning system：UWB positioning module, positioning tag card, positioning base station

Coal Mine Personnel Positioning System - Based on UWB Technology with Electronic Fence Function

Technology | 2D PDOA plane positioning scheme

Technical analysis: One dimensional mine/tunnel personnel positioning scheme

High precision personnel positioning in coal mines and tunnels - Introduction to TOF one-dimensional positioning scheme based on UWB technology

UWB Mine Personnel Positioning Scheme

What is UWB and its technological applications?

Difficulties in UWB positioning applications

FAQ on Ultra Wideband Positioning System?

Q What are the precautions for installing UWB positioning system?

Q How to debug UWB positioning system for optimal performance?

Q What challenges does UWB positioning face in complex environments such as multipath interference and signal occlusion?

Q How to deal with the challenges of UWB positioning in complex environments?

Q How to integrate UWB positioning and Bluetooth positioning?

Q How to integrate UWB positioning and inertial navigation?

Q What are the application scenarios of UWB positioning technology?

Q What is the development prospect of UWB positioning?

Q Can UWB positioning be combined with other technologies?

Q How to achieve UWB positioning based on Arduino?

Q How to achieve UWB 3D positioning?

Q Can UWB be used for drone positioning?

Q What are the applications of UWB indoor positioning?

Q What is the cost of UWB positioning?

Q What is the range of UWB positioning?

Q What is the accuracy of UWB positioning?

Q What is the function of UWB base station?

Q What are the components of UWB positioning system?

Q What is the difference between UWB positioning and other positioning technologies?

Q What is the principle of UWB positioning technology?

PCB manufacturing and assembly

PCB circuit board process capability

Get a quote now "or" Free sample request "PCB manufacturing and assembly

PCB Manufacturing and SMT DIP Assembly Manufacturing Equipment Display

Global electronic Sourcing services and Chinese manufacturing alternatives

ONE STOP SERVICE

PCB and assembly product applications

Revealing The Hidden Killer of SMT Patch Processing: Electronic Parts Displacement And X-RAY Efficient Detection Technology

Customers Tend To Choose PCBA One-stop Service, What Secrets Do You Need To Know?

SMT Patch Factory Quality Requirements for PCBA Wave Soldering?

PCBA: A Comprehensive Analysis From Concept To Application

What Causes PCB Short Circuit?

Manufacturability Design (DFM) in PCB Manufacturing

Clarity Control of Character Printing in PCB Manufacturing

The design and fabrication of solder mask Bridges in PCB manufacturing

Solutions for Burrs in PCB Manufacturing

Pressure Control in The Lamination Process in PCB Manufacturing

The Precision Requirements for Graphic Transfer in PCB Manufacturing

Analysis of Moisture-proof Measures for Transparent Film Three-Dimensional Packaging Machines

Methods for Improving The Stability of Transparent Film Three-dimensional Packaging Machines

Common Problems in The Development Process in PCB Manufacturing

Parameter Control of Exposure Process in PCB Manufacturing

The Inner Layer Circuit Is Fabricated in The PCB Manufacturing Process

The Technology of Outer Circuit Production in PCB Manufacturing

How To Layout Components in A PCB To Improve Manufacturability

Layout optimization of components in PCB assembly

Quality Control of Screen Printing Process in PCB Manufacturing

Revealing The Hidden Killer of SMT Patch Processing: Electronic Parts Displacement And X-RAY Efficient Detection Technology

Customers Tend To Choose PCBA One-stop Service, What Secrets Do You Need To Know?

SMT Patch Factory Quality Requirements for PCBA Wave Soldering?