Abstract: An ultra-wide band (UWB) waveform generator and encoder for use in a UWB digital communication system. The encoder multiplies each data bit by an n-bit identifying code, (e.g., a user code), resulting in a stream of bits corresponding to each data bit. This stream of bits is referred to as the original codeword. The original codeword is passed onto the UWB waveform generator for generation of a UWB waveform that can be transmitted via an antenna. The UWB waveform is made up of shaped wavelets. In one embodiment, the wavelets are bi-phase wavelets, and the UWB waveform generator uses a two-stage differential mixer and a pulse generator. The first stage combines the pulses from the pulse generator with a first derivative codeword derived from the original codeword. The output of this first stage is a wavelet, which is used as input to the second differential mixer along with a second derivative codeword also derived from the original codeword and orthogonal to the first derivative codeword.

Abstract: An ultra-wide band (UWB) waveform generator and encoder for use in a UWB digital communication system. The encoder multiples each data bit by an n-bit identifying code, (e.g., a user code), resulting in a stream of bits corresponding to each data bit. This stream of bits is referred to as the original codeword. The original codeword is passed onto the UWB waveform generator for generation of a UWB waveform that can be transmitted via an antenna. The UWB waveform is made up of shaped wavelets. In one embodiment, the wavelets are bi-phase wavelets, and the UWB waveform generator uses a two-stage differential mixer and a pulse generator. The first stage combines the pulses from the pulse generator with a first derivative codeword derived from the original codeword. The output of this first stage is a wavelet, which is used as input to the second differential mixer along with a second derivative codeword also derived from the original codeword and orthogonal to the first derivative codeword.

Abstract: A raking receiver is provided in a in a wireless network. The raking receiver includes an antenna, first through Nth wavelet forming networks, first through Nth weighting mixers, a summer, a path mixer, and a signal processing circuit. The antenna receives an incoming signal. The first through Nth wavelet forming networks produce first through Nth locally generated wavelets. The first through Nth weighting mixers multiply the first through Nth locally generated wavelets by first through Nth weighting values, respectively, to produce first through Nth weighted wavelets. The summer adds together the first through Nth weighted wavelets to produce a weighted correlation input signal. The path mixer multiplies the incoming signal with the weighted correlation input signal to produce a correlated signal. And the signal processing circuit receives the main correlating circuit and produces a digital bit value. N is preferably an integer greater than 1.

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: 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 identification tag is provided in which radio frequency (RF) circuitry and ultrawide bandwidth (UWB) circuitry are both provided on the same tag, along with some UWB-RF interface circuitry. The RF circuitry is used to detect when the identification tag must be accessed, and is used to connect the UWB circuitry with a power supply. The UWB circuitry then performs the necessary communication functions with a distant device and the power supply is again disconnected. In this way the power supply is only accessed when the UWB circuitry is needed and it's usable lifetime can be maximized.

Abstract: A transmitter encodes and a receiver decodes a signal using M-ary bi-orthogonal keying. The transmitter receives a stream of data bits and breaks a number of data bits off of the stream to form a bit sequence. The transmitter then chooses a code that corresponds the bit sequence, and transmits the chosen code. The receiver receives the code and correlates it with all possible codes to generate a plurality of correlation values. It then compares these correlation values to determine which code was sent, and therefore what the received bit sequence is. The codes are all mutually orthogonal, and preferable include a plurality of code words and an equal number of code word inverses. The code may be scrambled by multiplying it with a pseudo-random sequence at the transmitter, and descrambled by multiplying it by the same pseudo-random sequence at the receiver.

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 a 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 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 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: An planar ultra wide bandwidth (UWB) antenna that provides integration of electronics is disclosed. The antenna has a first balance element that is connected to a terminal at one end. A second balance element is connected to another terminal at one end. The second balance element has a shape that mirrors the shape of the first balance element such that there is a symmetry plane where any point on the symmetry plane is equidistant to all mirror points on the first and second balance elements. Each of the balance elements is made of a generally conductive material. A triangular shaped ground element is situated between the first balance element and the second balance element with an axis of symmetry on the symmetry plane, and oriented such that the base of the triangle is towards the terminals. Accordingly, the ground element and each of the balance elements form two tapered gaps which widen and converge at the apex of the ground element as the taper extends outwardly from the terminals.

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 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 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 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 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: An planar ultra wide bandwidth (UWB) antenna that provides integration of electronics is disclosed. The antenna has a first balance element that is connected to a terminal at one end. A second balance element is connected to another terminal at one end. The second balance element has a shape that mirrors the shape of the first balance element such that there is a symmetry plane where any point on the symmetry plane is equidistant to all mirror points on the first and second balance elements. Each of the balance elements is made of a generally conductive material. A triangular shaped ground element is situated between the first balance element and the second balance element with an axis of symmetry on the symmetry plane, and oriented such that the base of the triangle is towards the terminals. Accordingly, the ground element and each of the balance elements form two tapered gaps which widen and converge at the apex of the ground element as the taper extends outwardly from the terminals.

Abstract: An planar ultra wide bandwidth (UWB) antenna that provides integration of electronics is disclosed. The antenna has a first balance element that is connected to a terminal at one end. A second balance element is connected to another terminal at one end. The second balance element has a shape that mirrors the shape of the first balance element such that there is a symmetry plane where any point on the symmetry plane is equidistant to all mirror points on the first and second balance elements. Each of the balance elements is made of a generally conductive material. A triangular shaped ground element is situated between the first balance element and the second balance element with an axis of symmetry on the symmetry plane, and oriented such that the base of the triangle is towards the terminals. Accordingly, the ground element and each of the balance elements form two tapered gaps which widen and converge at the apex of the ground element as the taper extends outwardly from the terminals.