ULoc: a cm-accurate, low-latency and power-efficient UWB tag localization system

A UWB tag can be located with cm-scale accuracy in 3D with just a single beacon transmission

ULoc’s core design principle is to enable localizing the simplest tag. We note the surprising realization that receiving a UWB packet can consume over 50% more power than a tranmission. Equipped with this knowledge, ULoc’s protocol relies only on a single beacon packet to be transmitted by the tag to localize it in 3D space. We push the complexity of providing the location to the deployed infrastrucutre and the ULoc Anchors. In this manner, the tag can remain power efficient. Furthermore, the single-packet location estimation reduces the latency of the entire system.

ULoc Anchors’s 2D-antenna array capable of furnishing 3D-AoA

For the first time, ULoc developed and tested a UWB Anchor with 8 antennas placed in an L-shaped to measure both the azimuth and polar angle of arrival (3D-AoA) of a UWB pulse. Using trilateration, these 3D-AoA measurements are combined over at least 2 AP’s to provide cm-accuarate tag localization.