UWB Direction Detection Technology
UWB is an excellent technology to detect direction of arriving signal, as UWB can distinguist the direct portion of the signal from reflected portion. There are two known methods with UWB, Phase Difference of Arrival - PDoA and Sharpeye method.
Sharpeye method offer some advantages over PDoA
• Very accurate at center direction, but not so accurate at side area
• Easier to implement as radio system, independent of group delay variation, more antenna options and easier RF layout
• Allows a design of 3D directional system
• Not very sensitive with obstacles and nLoS
• Totally customizable system in co-operation with Sharpeye
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Here is a video example of Sharpeye method - direction finding test through obstacles ( bush and metal fences etc. ):
Phase Difference of Arrival PDoA
PDoA method is supported by some UWB chipsets. It gives reasonably good accuracy of some degrees almost at 180deg sector.
Sharpeye - Direction of Arrival DoA
Direction of Arrival mehod patented by Sharpeye Systems Oy advantages over PDoA
• Very accurate at center direction, but not so accurate at side area
• Easier to implement as radio system, more antenna options and easier RF layout
• Allows a design of 3D directional system
• Not very sensitive with obstacles and nLoS
• Totally customizable system in co-operation with Sharpeye
Accuracy
• Accuracy is independent of distance
• In some applications it is realistic to reach accuracy of +-2degcm
• Even UWB direction detection works through obstacles the accuracy is affected, can be +-5deg
Range
• The sensitivity of most UWB chipsets allow coverage over 70m range with proper radio design
• In some applications and with special radio design it is possible to reach accurate direction detection over 200m within regulted TX power limits
