Abstract: A method is provided for fast acquisition in a wireless network. This method involves receiving a first wireless signal at a receiving device, sent from a transmitting device; determining a first transmitting clock phase of the transmitting device by performing first acquisition and tracking processes on the first wireless signal; storing the first transmitting clock phase in the receiving device; receiving a second wireless signal at a receiving device, sent from the transmitting device after the first wireless signal; and determining a second transmitting clock phase of the transmitting device by performing a second acquisition process on the second wireless signal using the first transmitting clock phase as starting phase data. By using the stored first transmitting clock phase information as a starting point for acquisition, the receiving device can perform a second acquisition process that is much faster than a blind acquisition.

Abstract: A mechanism and method are provided for self-canceling noise generated in a UWB receiver and for providing multi-mode operation for the receiver. Noise is canceled by generating a first set of wavelets in a same phase as an incoming signal, and a second set of wavelets with an opposite phase as the incoming signal. The received signal and the generated wavelets are mixed and the result integrated such that the integrated output tends to zero. The multiple modes of operation allow the receiver to process multiple types of waveforms. The modes may be chosen by a user-selected switch, a waveform-detection based switch, or the like.

Abstract: A system and method for fast synchronization of an incoming signal with a UWB receiver rapidly. The present invention synchronizes with a UWB receiver with an incoming signal. The present invention correlates a local pulse generated at the receiver with the incoming signal, finds a phase angle in the correlation function that would correspond to a high signal to noise ratio, thereby matching the receiver to the incoming signal phase, and operates the receiver at that phase. Exemplary options of fast synchronization include using multiple detection arms to compare one parameter of the correlation function to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method, device and computer readable medium for enabling and blocking communications with a remote device based on a distance of the remote device. The method on which the device and computer readable medium are based includes transmitting a message from a local device to a remote device via an ultra wide band (UWB) wireless medium and receiving a response from the remote device via the UWB wireless medium. The transmitting and receiving steps are preferably performed in accordance with a Media Access Control (MAC) protocol. A distance between the local device and the remote device is then determined based on a time between the transmitting of the message and the receiving of the response and a function, such as communicating with the remote device, is performed in the local device based on the distance determined. The communication between the local device and the remote device may be enabled or disabled depending on the distance that the remote device is from the local device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for authenticating a new device in a wireless network using an authentication device. First, the new device estimates the distance between the new device and the authenticating device as a first distance measurement, and sends the first distance measurement to the authentication device. The authentication device then estimates the distance between the new device and the authenticating device as a second distance measurement. The authentication device then evaluates the first and second distance measurements to determine if they meet authentication criteria and sends authentication data to the new device only if the first and second distance measurements meet the authentication criteria. These criteria can be that they do not differ by more than a set error value or that they both are below a set maximum value.

Abstract: A monocycle forming network may include a monocycle generator, up and down pulse generators, data modulators and clock generation circuits. The network may generate monocycle pulses having very narrow pulse widths, approximately 80 picoseconds peak to peak. The monocycles may be modulated to carry data in ultra-wideband communication systems.

Abstract: An ultra-wide band (UWB) waveform generator and encoder for use in a UWB digital communication system. The UWB waveform is made up of a sequence of shaped wavelets. The waveform generator produces multi-amplitude, multi-phase wavelets that are time-constrained, zero mean, and can be orthogonal in phase, yet still have a ?10 dB power spectral bandwidth that is larger than the frequency of the peak of the power spectrum In one embodiment, the wavelets are bi-phase wavelets. The encoder multiplies each data bit by an n-bit identifying code, (e.g., a user code), resulting in a group of wavelets corresponding to each data bit. The identifying codeword is passed onto the UWB waveform generator for generation of a UWB waveform that can be transmitted via an antenna.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for removing “narrowband” interference from a broader spectrum containing a UWB signal, in a receiver of the UWB signal. The RFI is extracted from a broader spectrum to remove interference from the UWB signal, by employing an impulse response in a radio front-end of the UWB receiver that is matched with an incoming wavelet employed as part of a UWB signal to be received, matching the impulse response to the wavelet and its time-shifted and inverted versions, passing the wavelet unscathed through the receiver, and excising narrowband signals (continuous tones). Exemplary embodiments for the RFI extraction mechanism include a transmission line circuit, an active transmission line circuit, and an adaptable, controllable phase delay circuit.

Abstract: An ultra wide bandwidth communications system, method and computer program product including an ultra wide bandwidth timing generator. The timing generator includes a high frequency clock generation circuit having low phase noise; a low frequency control generation circuit; and a modulation circuit coupled between the high frequency clock generation circuit and the low frequency control generation circuit. The high frequency clock generation circuit generates a plurality of high frequency clock signals. The low frequency control generation circuit generates a plurality of low frequency control signals. The modulation circuit modulates the high frequency clock signals with the low frequency control signals to produce an agile timing signal at a predetermined frequency and phase.

Abstract: An ultra wide bandwidth, high speed, spread spectrum communications system uses short wavelets of electromagnetic energy to transmit information through objects such as walls or earth. The communication system uses baseband codes formed from time shifted and inverted wavelets to encode data on a RF signal. Typical wavelet pulse durations are on the order of 100 to 1000 picoseconds with a bandwidth of approximately 8 GHz to 1 GHz, respectively. The combination of short duration wavelets and encoding techniques are used to spread the signal energy over an ultra wide frequency band such that the energy is not concentrated in any particular narrow band (e.g. VHF: 30-300 MHz or UHF: 300-1000 MHz) and is not detected by conventional narrow band receivers so it does not interfere with those communication systems.

Abstract: A receiver correlator structure for an ultra wide bandwidth communication system includes an antenna, a mixer, a bandpass filter, and a convertor. The receiver receives, via the antenna, an ultra wide bandwidth signal comprising a sequence of wavelets of particular shapes and positions, and transmits the received ultra wide bandwidth signal to the mixer. The mixer also receives and mixes with the received ultra wide bandwidth signal a local ultra wide bandwidth signal comprising a sequence of wavelets of particular shapes and positions correlated to the received ultra wide bandwidth signal. The bandpass filter removes the DC components from the mixed signal, and provides the resultant signal to the convertor. The receiver structure eliminates the local ultra wide bandwidth signal AC bias and DC bias terms and 1/f noise, yet detects long sequences of logical 1's and 0's, and allows operation with reduced bandwidth convertors.

Abstract: An ultra wide bandwidth, high speed, spread spectrum communications system uses short wavelets of electromagnetic energy to transmit information through objects such as walls or earth. The communication system uses baseband codes formed from time shifted and inverted wavelets to encode data on a RF signal. Typical wavelet pulse durations are on the order of 100 to 1000 picoseconds with a bandwidth of approximately 8 GHz to 1 GHz, respectively. The combination of short duration wavelets and encoding techniques are used to spread the signal energy over an ultra wide frequency band such that the energy is not concentrated in any particular narrow band (e.g. VHF: 30-300 MHz or UHF: 300-1000 MHz) and is not detected by conventional narrow band receivers so it does not interfere with those communication systems.

Abstract: An electrically small, planar ultra wide bandwidth (UWB) antenna is disclosed. The antenna has a conductive outer ground area that encompasses a tapered non-conducting clearance area, which surrounds a conductive inner driven area. The feed is unbalanced with the terminals are across the narrowest part of the non-conducting clearance area which is tapered to provide a low VSWR across ultra wide bandwidths exceeding 100%. The antenna can be arrayed in 1D and 2D on a single common substrate. Amplifiers can be readily mounted at the feed.

Abstract: A method for conveying application data via carrierless ultra wideband wireless signals, and signals embodied in a carrierless ultra wideband waveform. Application data is encoded into wavelets that are transmitted as a carrierless ultra wideband waveform. The carrierless ultra wideband waveform is received by an antenna, and the application data is decoded from the wavelets included in the waveform. The waveforms of the signals include wavelets that have a predetermined shape that is used to modulate the data. The signals may convey, for example, Web pages and executable programs between mobile devices. The signals are low power and can penetrate obstructions making them favorable for use with a wireless node of a network.

Abstract: A method for conveying application data via carrierless ultra wideband wireless signals, and signals embodied in a carrierless ultra wideband waveform. Application data is encoded into wavelets that are transmitted as a carrierless ultra wideband waveform. The carrierless ultra wideband waveform is received by an antenna, and the application data is decoded from the wavelets included in the waveform. The waveforms of the signals include wavelets that have a predetermined shape that is used to modulate the data. The signals may convey, for example, Web pages and executable programs between mobile devices. The signals are low power and can penetrate obstructions making them favorable for use with a wireless node of a network.

Abstract: An ultra wide bandwidth, high speed, spread spectrum communications system uses short wavelets of electromagnetic energy to transmit information through objects such as walls or earth. The communication system uses baseband codes formed from time shifted and inverted wavelets to encode data on a RF signal. Typical wavelet pulse durations are on the order of 100 to 1000 picoseconds with a bandwidth of approximately 8 GHz to 1 GHz, respectively. The combination of short duration wavelets and encoding techniques are used to spread the signal energy over an ultra wide frequency band such that the energy is not concentrated in any particular narrow band (e.g. VHF: 30-300 MHz or UHF: 300-1000 MHz) and is not detected by conventional narrow band receivers so it does not interfere with those communication systems.

Abstract: An ultra-wide band (UWB) waveform receiver with noise cancellation for use in a UWB digital communication system. The UWB receiver uses a two-stage mixing approach to cancel noise and bias in the receiver. Self-jamming is prevented by inverting a portion of the received signal in the first mixer and then coherently detecting the partially and synchronously inverted signal in the second mixer. Since the drive signals on both mixers are not matched to the desired signal, leakage of either drive signal does not jam the desired signal preventing the receiver from detecting and decoding a weak signal.

Abstract: A method for conveying application data via carrierless ultra wideband wireless signals, and signals embodied in a carrierless ultra wideband waveform. Application data is encoded into wavelets that are transmitted as a carrierless ultra wideband waveform. The carrierless ultra wideband waveform is received by an antenna, and the application data is decoded from the wavelets included in the waveform. The waveforms of the signals include wavelets that have a predetermined shape that is used to modulate the data. The signals may convey, for example, Web pages and executable programs between mobile devices. The signals are low power and can penetrate obstructions making them favorable for use with a wireless node of a network.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for baseband removal of narrowband interference contained within UWB signals in a UWB receiver. The RFI is extracted from the UWB signal by employing a filter that is matched approximately with the RFI in the baseband signal, extracting RFI, and passing the desired data signal unscathed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for authenticating a new device in a wireless network using an authentication device. First, the new device estimates the distance between the new device and the authenticating device as a first distance measurement, and sends the first distance measurement to the authentication device. The authentication device then estimates the distance between the new device and the authenticating device as a second distance measurement. The authentication device then evaluates the first and second distance measurements to determine if they meet authentication criteria and sends authentication data to the new device only if the first and second distance measurements meet the authentication criteria. These criteria can be that they do not differ by more than a set error value or that they both are below a set maximum value.