In the current era of rapid technological development, indoor and outdoor positioning technologies have become crucial supports for achieving efficient operation and intelligent management in numerous fields. From the tracking of personnel and equipment in industrial production to the convenient navigation and security monitoring in intelligent buildings, the demand for precise positioning is ubiquitous. Among them, UWB technology stands out due to its unique advantages and has attracted much attention.
UWB, namely Ultra-Wideband technology, is a carrier-free communication technology. It uses nanosecond to microsecond-level non-sinusoidal narrow pulses to transmit data, and the signal radiation is extremely low, approximately one-thousandth of the radiation of a mobile phone. When applied in an industrial environment, it will not interfere with other instruments and meters, ensuring the precise operation of industrial automation.
The "ultra-wide" nature of Ultra-Wideband is reflected in two aspects. On the one hand, regulations such as those of the FCC have allocated a broad spectrum resource with a bandwidth of 7.5GHz ranging from 3.1GHz to 10.6GHz for it. On the other hand, its carrier bandwidth far exceeds the conventional one. According to the regulations, the -10dB bandwidth of the communication carrier needs to be greater than 500M to meet the Ultra-Wideband standard. Based on these characteristics, UWB technology has significant advantages.
I. Significant Advantages of UWB Technology
1.1 Strong Anti-interference Performance
UWB adopts spread spectrum signals, has a large processing gain, and a low signal transmission power, which is even lower than the noise of ordinary devices. Therefore, at the same code rate, its anti-interference ability far exceeds that of other communication methods. In complex electromagnetic environments such as factory workshops, where numerous devices generate a large amount of interference, the UWB positioning system can still work stably and accurately obtain positioning information.
1.2 High Transmission Rate
The ultra-wide bandwidth enables UWB to achieve a transmission rate of hundreds of megabits, meeting the demand for fast data transmission. For example, in the scenario of high-definition video surveillance data transmission, UWB technology can ensure fast and stable data transmission, providing timely data support for subsequent analysis and processing.
1.3 Low Power Consumption
The FCC stipulates that the maximum average power spectral density of UWB on civil devices is -41.3dBm/MHz, which makes it widely used in battery-powered devices. Taking the positioning tag as an example, the tag using UWB technology has low power consumption, which greatly extends the battery life and reduces the frequency and cost of battery replacement. In the application of personnel positioning, the UWB positioning tags worn by the staff can work for a long time.
1.4 Good Confidentiality
UWB adopts spread spectrum signals, and only when the spread spectrum codes of the receiving end and the transmitting end are consistent can the signal be correctly demodulated, ensuring the confidentiality of communication. In places with high requirements for information security, such as financial institutions, UWB technology can ensure the secure transmission of positioning information and prevent information from being stolen or tampered with.
With the maturity of UWB technology, its application scope continues to expand, and it has a prominent application in the field of personnel positioning and safety monitoring in smart construction sites. By combining outdoor GPS positioning (4G transmission) with indoor UWB positioning technology, a comprehensive precise positioning and safety supervision system has been created.
II. Detailed Explanation of the Indoor and Outdoor Integrated Positioning Solution
2.1 Indoor Positioning
The UWB active positioning technology is adopted, based on the TOF (Time of Flight) ranging principle. An ubeacon is deployed every 50 meters, and the positioning accuracy can reach within 1 meter, which can accurately track the position and movement trajectory of personnel in complex indoor building areas. In large commercial buildings or factory workshops, the UWB indoor positioning system can accurately determine the position of personnel in real time, providing support for personnel management, safety protection, and emergency rescue.
2.2 Outdoor Positioning
The GPS satellite positioning technology is used, with a positioning accuracy of about 3 - 5 meters, meeting the positioning requirements of open construction sites. At the same time, the TOF two-way ranging technology is adopted to achieve the anti-collision warning of excavators, with an error of 10 - 30 centimeters, reducing the construction safety risk. In open areas such as construction sites, GPS positioning provides location information, and the TOF two-way ranging technology of UWB is used for the anti-collision warning of excavators, improving construction safety.
2.3 Convenient Deployment
The base station does not need power supply and networking, reducing the difficulty and cost of deployment and eliminating the cumbersome wiring work. In temporary places or areas where wiring is difficult, such as temporarily built exhibition halls, the UWB positioning system can be quickly deployed to provide positioning services.
2.4 Efficient Computation
The tag calculates its own position based on the ranging distance, reducing the network and computing power load of the server, reducing the delay of tag position update, increasing the concurrent capacity of tags, and ensuring stable operation in the personnel-intensive construction site environment. In a construction site with a large number of people, the UWB positioning system can efficiently process a large amount of tag position information, ensuring accurate and real-time positioning.
2.5 Low Cost
Lora has a long data return distance, and the deployment density of Lora gateways is low, reducing the network deployment cost and improving the cost performance of the system. By reasonably selecting the data transmission method and equipment, while ensuring the performance of the positioning system, the construction and operation costs are reduced.
In smart construction sites, this indoor and outdoor integrated positioning solution plays a significant role. In case of emergency accidents such as high-altitude falling objects and collapses, the system can quickly lock the position of the trapped personnel based on the positioning information, saving time for rescue and reducing casualties.
III. Other Application Fields of UWB Technology
In addition to smart construction sites, UWB technology also has broad prospects in other fields.
3.1 Industrial Manufacturing
In the field of industrial manufacturing, UWB technology can be used for the positioning of equipment and materials on the production line, achieving precise control of the automated production process. Through real-time positioning, the production layout is optimized, production efficiency is improved, and material waste and equipment failures are reduced. For example, in an automobile manufacturing factory, the UWB positioning system can track the position of automobile parts, ensuring that they reach the production stage on time and accurately, improving the quality and efficiency of automobile production.
3.2 Medical and Healthcare
In the field of medical and healthcare, UWB technology can be used for the positioning of personnel and equipment in hospitals, helping medical staff quickly find equipment and medicines, improving the efficiency and quality of medical services. It can also be used for real-time monitoring and tracking of patients. For patients under special care, medical staff can understand the position and movement trajectory of patients through the UWB positioning system to ensure the safety of patients.
3.3 Smart Home
In the field of smart home, UWB technology can achieve precise positioning and interconnection of devices, providing a convenient and intelligent home experience. Users can quickly find lost devices through the UWB application on their mobile phones, and smart door locks can identify user identities and unlock automatically through UWB technology, improving home security and convenience.
3.4 Logistics and Warehousing
In the field of logistics and warehousing, UWB technology can be used for the positioning and tracking of goods, improving the efficiency and accuracy of warehouse management. By installing UWB tags on goods, warehouse managers can know the position and status of goods in real time, achieving fast warehousing, ex-warehousing, and inventory counting, optimizing the utilization of warehouse space, and reducing logistics costs.
