Ultra-Wideband (UWB) connectivity has become an essential component of modern wireless communication systems. However, as UWB adoption grows, so do the related test and measurement challenges. In this blog, we’ll explore how LitePoint is addressing these test challenges from device conception in R&D labs, through validation and characterization, to mass production.

How Is UWB Evolving?

UWB technology has been integrated into a wide range of consumer and industrial applications, thanks to significant advancements in precise location measurement capabilities and enhanced security features. 

For instance, the new IEEE 802.15.4ab standard, which is currently in draft stage, is poised to extend the communication range of UWB, making inherently low-power UWB more viable for long-distance commercial asset tracking and locating tagged people and objects.

One of the more exciting developments is the integration of UWB in automotive design. UWB is used for secure keyless entry systems, leveraging its precise distance measurement and encryption capabilities. Additionally, UWB is expected to be utilized for child presence detection (CPD), where the same UWB in-vehicle devices double as RADAR systems. Beyond CPD, UWB RADAR is considered for enabling convenient features like trunk open/close automation and gesture recognition.

Other notable applications of UWB’s accurate distance measurement and security include electric vehicle charging payment and parking structure navigation. These advancements increase the utility of UWB but also introduce new layers of complexity in testing and certifying UWB-enabled devices. Some UWB features are not only convenient but also mission-critical, necessitating rigorous testing and certification.

Impact of Emerging UWB Specifications

As UWB evolves, more stringent test and measurement requirements are emerging. One of the biggest challenges is the upcoming IEEE 802.11ab standard’s NBA-MMS (Narrowband Assist Multi-Millisecond). NBA allows UWB devices to delegate tasks such as frequency and timing synchronization to narrowband signals before exchanging UWB ranging messages. This improves synchronization between UWB devices, even at greater distances, thereby extending the initial synchronization ranges of UWB devices.

Per IEEE specification, UWB devices must switch quickly from narrowband (around 5 GHz) to UWB frequencies (up to 10 GHz) with an extremely tight tolerance of less than one millisecond. The RF test challenge arises as the test equipment must be able to capture both narrowband and UWB signals with high accuracy, which requires fast switching between the two frequencies. LitePoint’s IQgig-UWB+ is equipped with high-performance local oscillators (LO) that are capable of such stringent measurement.

The second part of NBA-MMS poses another test challenge. In the MMS implementation, each UWB packet is divided into as many as 16 shorter fragments. The receiving UWB device obtains aggregated information from these fragments, resulting in a combined effective energy that is higher than the original UWB packet, without violating regional regulatory emission limits. This increased energy enables UWB devices to achieve greater ranging distances. To effectively combine up to 16 subpackets, the frequency between one subpacket and another must not drift. If the drift is too large, it risks reducing the gain and compromising ranging distance. The UWB test equipment must be able to accurately measure the carrier frequency offset (CFO) across multiple subpackets, requiring precise calibration and real-time measurement of both transmission (Tx) and receive (Rx) chains in the system.

More Test Challenges… RADAR, AoA and OTA

Another emerging UWB use case includes sensing applications such as RADAR, where a UWB device must operate with minimal pre- and post-cursor energy to avoid inter-pulse interference or wrong lobe detection. Test equipment must be able to accurately measure these parameters to ensure optimal performance.

Many mobile UWB applications are equipped with multiple antennas to take advantage of UWB’s ability to locate the angle at which another UWB device is located. This method of calculating the angle by detecting a slight difference in phase received between multiple antennas is called Angle of Arrival (AoA).

Testing AoA presents another challenge. AoA can be tested in an over-the-air (OTA) environment with an anechoic chamber using several antennas situated at angles, or by adjusting the phase delay in signal paths to simulate angles using delay lines in the test system within a conducted environment. LitePoint UWB test systems natively support both test methods, helping UWB device designers achieve precise AoA measurements and ensuring the accuracy of UWB-based location services.

Finally, UWB must coexist with other wireless technologies in real-world environments. In automotive applications, for example, various wireless technologies must operate in a confined cabin. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular, including 4G LTE and 5G, play crucial roles in everything from smartphone connection to in-vehicle internet access, potentially interfering with UWB performance. Effective coexistence characterization and testing in OTA settings are essential. 

The Growing Importance of Interoperability: Security and Certification

As the number of UWB chipsets and devices increases, interoperability among devices designed and manufactured by different UWB vendors become paramount to ensure an excellent user experience. With more than 100 members, the FiRa Consortium continues to play a pivotal role in establishing UWB certification programs. Since joining the consortium as the first equipment vendor in 2019, LitePoint has been at the forefront of UWB PHY layer conformance testing, providing the industry’s first test platform to be validated for the FiRa Consortium. 

Conformance testing differs from other RF parametric testing in that it focuses on test scenarios that guarantee the certified devices will interoperate. These tests are well defined by governing consortiums, including device interface and test conditions, and are readily available as a total package of software and test equipment. 

With the release of FiRa 3.0 in December 2024, the FiRa Consortium will mandate UWB security test cases that were previously optional. This shift reflects the increasing demand for devices to meet strict security benchmarks, particularly in critical applications like keyless entry, automotive systems and contactless payments. FiRa 3.0 is also the first time FiRa conformance testing incorporates Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) test cases. CCC relies on FiRa to launch its UWB PHY certification program, therefore test equipment vendors must support both certification programs.

LitePoint’s test solutions are equipped to handle these new requirements, including a turn-key software solution for FiRa 3.0 certification. As a FiRa Consortium partner, LitePoint is committed to helping manufacturers navigate the evolving certification landscape and ensure UWB interoperability across devices.

UWB Test Impact

As UWB technology evolves, so do testing and certification requirements. It is no longer sufficient to merely check for wireless connections; collecting UWB-specific parametric data is crucial to ensure optimal device performance and manufacturing yields. LitePoint’s innovative IQgig-UWB+ test platform addresses these rising UWB test challenges by offering comprehensive solutions for accurate and efficient testing. 

By staying ahead of evolving standards, LitePoint empowers manufacturers to innovate with confidence, ensuring their devices perform flawlessly in an increasingly interconnected world.