TITAN Researchers from the University of Southampton are advancing integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) by harnessing the untapped potential of ultra-wideband (UWB) radio. UWB offers license-free access to over 500…
TITAN Researchers from the University of Southampton are advancing integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) by harnessing the untapped potential of ultra-wideband (UWB) radio. UWB offers license-free access to over 500 MHz of bandwidth, making it an attractive option for high-precision sensing and data transmission. However, its performance is often hindered by signal blockage due to its limited power and regulated frequency range. To address this, the team has developed a novel two-tier frequency-domain equalisation (FDE) approach that enhances UWB ISAC performance without introducing additional transmission overhead.
The innovation lies in how the system handles both data and sensing tasks. The first FDE stage isolates the sensing signal by eliminating data interference, while the second stage uses the extracted channel impulse response to optimise data detection. This method leverages UWB’s symbol repetition patterns to enable Fourier-transform-based sensing without the need for a cyclic prefix, which is typically required in similar systems. Compared to conventional matched-filter sensing methods, the proposed approach significantly improves robustness in blocked environments and enables accurate detection of multiple targets. Simulations show that this new technique achieves centimetre-level accuracy even in challenging conditions, such as a low Ricean K-factor of -4 dB—far surpassing current commercial UWB devices that deliver only meter-level precision under the same conditions.
The implications of this research are wide-ranging, particularly for industries exploring next-generation communication systems like 6G. UWB-based ISAC offers a solution to bandwidth congestion in 5G and Wi-Fi by providing an alternative with superior sensing capabilities. Practical applications include precise indoor positioning, smart manufacturing, autonomous navigation, and medical monitoring systems—all of which benefit from more accurate, reliable, and integrated sensing-communication functions.
This project was carried out in partnership with Prof. Shinya Sugiura of the University of Tokyo under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship and with Prof. Harald Haas at the University of Cambridge. Industry support came from Prof. Rob Maunder of AccelerComm Ltd. and Dr. Stephen Wang of VIAVI Marconi Labs. Their combined expertise played a crucial role in validating the system, including a demonstration using Qorvo’s DW3000 module, which underscored the real-world relevance of the findings.
Looking forward, the team plans to explore the integration of reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) into the UWB ISAC framework. This next step could open the door to even more adaptive and resilient communication systems, reinforcing the role of UWB in future 6G technologies.
This research not only showcases the versatility of UWB but also highlights how thoughtful system design can transform theoretical potential into practical advancements. With continued development, UWB ISAC systems could redefine how devices communicate and sense the world around them—more precisely, efficiently, and reliably than ever before.
The research is a part of TITAN Lighthouse Project 5 (LP5): Non-Terrestrial Network Design and Optimisation. The project explores the development and enhancement of communication systems that operate beyond traditional ground-based infrastructure, such as satellite and high-altitude platform networks.
TITAN is part of the Federated Telecoms Hubs (FTH) alongside CHEDDAR, HASC, and JOINER. Together, we conduct world-leading R&D and create a new knowledge-sharing framework, roadmap technology, develop skills, and engage with standards while instilling a commercialisation-focused mindset across academia.
If you have any questions about the research discussed in this article, please contact titan-enquiries@eng.cam.ac.uk.
