Abstract: Disclosed is a UWB communication node comprising: a UWB communication unit configured to transmit one or more messages, to a plurality of external responder nodes and comprising a ranging control message defining a contention period, and further configured to receive one or more responses from said responder nodes during said contention period, each response including a response payload; a processor unit configured to use a common cryptographic session key to encrypt said messages; wherein the processing unit is further configured to use responder-specific session keys to decrypt the response payloads; wherein each individual one of said responder-specific cryptographic session keys is a unique key shared between the node and one of the external responder nodes. Corresponding systems methods and an associated computer program are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing ultra-wideband (UWB) sessions. In the method a first UWB communication session is performed. A process of the first UWB communication session is synchronized with a time base of a first UWB communication device. At least another UWB communication session is performed. A process of the at least another UWB communication session is synchronized to the first UWB communication session.

Abstract: There is described a system and method of committing a transaction within a UWB network comprising a plurality of anchors, the UWB network covering a predetermined area having at least one trigger area, the method comprising waking up a mobile device upon entering the predetermined area, receiving initial network data at the mobile device, verifying that the UWB network is genuine based on the initial network data, initiating communication between the mobile device and an anchor, including partial mutual authentication, generating a session key for secure communication between the mobile device and the UWB network, tracking the location of the mobile device within the predetermined area based on secure communication between the mobile device and one or more anchors within the UWB network using the session key, and committing the transaction, if the location of the mobile device is within the at least one trigger area.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for, UWB, ranging of a target using a plurality of antenna arrays. The method comprises: determining a first RSSI, from a first antenna of a first antenna arrays, and a second RSSI from a second antenna of a second antenna arrays; in response to the first RSSI being larger than the second RSSI, selecting the first antenna array, and selecting the second antenna array otherwise; using the selected antenna array, performing a UWB ranging measurement including measuring an angle of arrival of the signal from the target; including, if the angle of arrival of the signal from the target is out of range: selecting a different one of the plurality of antennae arrays, as a presently-selected antenna array; and, using that antenna array, performing a UWB ranging measurement including measuring an angle of arrival of the signal from the target.

Abstract: A method of estimating a clock frequency offset in a mobile device relative to a clock frequency of a controller within a UWB network comprises (a) determining, for each of a plurality of anchors, an anchor clock frequency offset relative to the controller clock frequency, (b) broadcasting an anchor data packet from each anchor, the anchor data packet including the respective anchor clock frequency offset, (c) receiving at least one anchor data packet at the mobile device, (d) estimating a mobile device clock frequency offset relative to the anchor clock frequency of the anchor from which the at least one anchor data packet was received, and (e) estimating the clock frequency offset in the mobile device based on the estimated mobile device clock frequency offset and the anchor clock frequency offset included in the at least one received anchor data packet. Furthermore, a TDoA-based localization method and a TDoA-based localization system are described.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, an ultra-wideband communication node is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband communication unit configured to transmit one or more messages to a plurality of external responder nodes and to receive one or more responses from said responder nodes; a processing unit configured to use a common cryptographic session key to encrypt said messages, wherein said common cryptographic session key is a key shared between the ultra-wideband communication node and all the external responder nodes; wherein the processing unit is further configured to use responder-specific cryptographic session keys to decrypt the responses and/or to encrypt further messages to the responder nodes, and wherein each individual one of said responder-specific cryptographic session keys is a key shared between the ultra-wideband communication node and one of the external responder nodes.

Abstract: The method includes one or more turnstiles using a non-secure ranging process to detect a proximity of one or more mobile computing devices carried by respective users. The method also includes one of the turnstiles, on making a proximity determination in respect of a first of said mobile computing devices, commencing a secure authentication process to authenticate a user carrying the first mobile computing device. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the user carrying the first mobile computing device has been authenticated, allowing the user carrying the first mobile computing device to pass through the turnstile.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to set up a UWB communication channel with a first external communication device; a further communication unit configured to set up a further communication channel with a second external communication device; an antenna configured to be selectively used by the UWB communication unit and the further communication unit; wherein the UWB communication unit is operatively coupled to the further communication unit, and wherein the further communication unit is configured to grant the UWB communication unit access to said antenna in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit. This aspect represents a solution to the problem of how to facilitate avoiding that UWB ranging rounds fail in a co-existence system.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to enable UWB communication with at least one external communication device; a processing unit configured to perform a ranging session between the communication device and the external communication device, wherein said ranging session comprises one or more distance measurements based on messages exchanged between the communication device and the external communication device, wherein said messages are exchanged through the UWB communication unit; a prioritization unit configured to prioritize said ranging session using a synchronization indicator associated with said ranging session. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a communication device is conceived. In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A communication device is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband device configured to establish a communication session with an external communication device; a secure element configured to generate a session key for use in said communication session and an authentication key derived from said session key; a processing unit configured to execute an application; wherein the secure element is further configured to transfer the session key and the authentication key to the UWB device; wherein the UWB device is configured to add, upon or after receiving data for use by said application, a cryptographic tag to said data; wherein the processing unit is configured to receive said data and the cryptographic tag, and to forward said data and cryptographic tag to the secure element; wherein the secure element is configured to verify said cryptographic tag and to return, upon or after a positive verification of the cryptographic tag, a signed confirmation.

Abstract: A method of estimating a clock frequency offset in a mobile device relative to a clock frequency of a controller within a UWB network comprises (a) determining, for each of a plurality of anchors, an anchor clock frequency offset relative to the controller clock frequency, (b) broadcasting an anchor data packet from each anchor, the anchor data packet including the respective anchor clock frequency offset, (c) receiving at least one anchor data packet at the mobile device, (d) estimating a mobile device clock frequency offset relative to the anchor clock frequency of the anchor from which the at least one anchor data packet was received, and (e) estimating the clock frequency offset in the mobile device based on the estimated mobile device clock frequency offset and the anchor clock frequency offset included in the at least one received anchor data packet. Furthermore, a TDoA-based localization method and a TDoA-based localization system are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a UWB communication node comprising: a UWB communication unit configured to transmit one or more messages, to a plurality of external responder nodes and comprising a ranging control message defining a contention period, and further configured to receive one or more responses from said responder nodes during said contention period, each response including a response payload; a processor unit configured to use a common cryptographic session key to encrypt said messages; wherein the processing unit is further configured to use responder-specific session keys to decrypt the response payloads; wherein each individual one of said responder-specific cryptographic session keys is a unique key shared between the node and one of the external responder nodes. Corresponding systems methods and an associated computer program are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ultra wide band, UWB, ranging device is disclosed comprising: an input for receiving data directly from a sensor hub, and a radio configured for UWB communication; wherein the UWB device is configured to: commence a ranging process comprising at least one of a repeated range determination, and a repeated angle of arrival determination; receive sensor data from the sensor hub; process the data, and modify the ranging process in dependence on the data. Personal communication devices disclosing such UWB ranging devices are also disclosed as are associated methods.

Abstract: A proximity detection and authentication method and system are disclosed. The method includes one or more turnstiles using a non-secure ranging process to detect a proximity of one or more mobile computing devices carried by respective users. The method also includes one of the turnstiles, on making a proximity determination in respect of a first of said mobile computing devices, commencing a secure authentication process to authenticate a user carrying the first mobile computing device. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the user carrying the first mobile computing device has been authenticated, allowing the user carrying the first mobile computing device to pass through the turnstile.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to set up a UWB communication channel with a first external communication device; a further communication unit configured to set up a further communication channel with a second external communication device; an antenna configured to be selectively used by the UWB communication unit and the further communication unit; wherein the UWB communication unit is operatively coupled to the further communication unit, and wherein the further communication unit is configured to grant the UWB communication unit access to said antenna in response to receiving a request from the UWB communication unit. This aspect represents a solution to the problem of how to facilitate avoiding that UWB ranging rounds fail in a co-existence system.

Abstract: There is described a system and method of committing a transaction within a UWB network comprising a plurality of anchors, the UWB network covering a predetermined area having at least one trigger area, the method comprising waking up a mobile device upon entering the predetermined area, receiving initial network data at the mobile device, verifying that the UWB network is genuine based on the initial network data, initiating communication between the mobile device and an anchor, including partial mutual authentication, generating a session key for secure communication between the mobile device and the UWB network, tracking the location of the mobile device within the predetermined area based on secure communication between the mobile device and one or more anchors within the UWB network using the session key, and committing the transaction, if the location of the mobile device is within the at least one trigger area.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, an ultra-wideband communication node is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband communication unit configured to transmit one or more messages to a plurality of external responder nodes and to receive one or more responses from said responder nodes; a processing unit configured to use a common cryptographic session key to encrypt said messages, wherein said common cryptographic session key is a key shared between the ultra-wideband communication node and all the external responder nodes; wherein the processing unit is further configured to use responder-specific cryptographic session keys to decrypt the responses and/or to encrypt further messages to the responder nodes, and wherein each individual one of said responder-specific cryptographic session keys is a key shared between the ultra-wideband communication node and one of the external responder nodes.

Abstract: An ultra wide band, UWB, ranging device is disclosed comprising: an input for receiving data directly from a sensor hub, and a radio configured for UWB communication; wherein the UWB device is configured to: commence a ranging process comprising at least one of a repeated range determination, and a repeated angle of arrival determination; receive sensor data from the sensor hub; process the data, and modify the ranging process in dependence on the data. Personal communication devices disclosing such UWB ranging devices are also disclosed as are associated methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a RF system (100) having at least one transceiver node device (110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120) that is capable to assume, at a controllable point in time and/or for a controllable time period, each one of the following roles (210, 220, 230, 240): a first role (210) comprising listening or answering to a message from an active communication session, in particular ranging sessions, a second role (220) comprising listening for new communication sessions, in particular ranging sessions, a third role (230) comprising staying idle, and optionally a third role (230) comprising scanning for ongoing communication sessions, in particular ranging sessions, of other RF systems.