Ultra wideband (UWB) technology is now playing a significant role in changing the way digital devices communicate. This technology was originally developed for military purposes, but has evolved into solutions in various industries, including security systems, indoor navigation, and IoT devices. UWB brings new experiences in location tracking, data transfer, and more efficient connectivity.
In this article we will discuss all about UWB technology and its regulatory control in Indonesia.
What is UWB?
UWB stands for Ultra Wideband. It is a high-speed wireless communication technology that operates in the frequencies above 1 GHz. Unlike other communication technologies, UWB relies on short pulses measured in nanoseconds to transmit data.
The narrow pulses are sent over a wide range of frequencies, which allows for wide bandwidth and low power consumption. With wide bandwidth and optimal multipath handling capability, this technology offers location accuracy up to 10 cm, better than Wifi or Bluetooth technologies.
How UWB works?
UWB works by sending radio frequency signals in the form of short pulses that cover a very wide frequency range, even exceeding 500 MHz. This technology allows the transmission of billions of radio pulses in a short time, which are then translated by the receiver into usable data.
This technology transmits data by generating radio energy at specific times in a wide frequency spectrum. This allows UWB to optimize bandwidth usage and reduce interference with other signals.
Specifications of UWB
To ensure that the use of UWB technology remains safe and does not interfere with other communication technologies, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocates UWB frequencies between 3.1 GHz and 10.6 GHz with an emission power limit of -41 dBm/MHz and has a bandwidth width of 500 MHz.
This FCC regulation allows UWB technology to operate optimally with low power, so that it can be used in various devices without causing significant interference.
Benefits of UWB
Here are some advantages of UWB technology that make it as an important innovation in wireless communication technology.
- High accuracy in location tracking: UWB is able to track positions with a precision of up to centimeters, much more accurate than GPS or Bluetooth which generally have a tolerance of several meters.
- Real-time positioning: With very low latency, UWB technology enables direct and accurate object tracking, making it ideal for navigation and security applications.
- High data transfer rate: UWB offers very fast data transmission rates, reaching hundreds of megabits per second, surpassing Bluetooth and NFC in terms of information transfer efficiency.
- Low power consumption: UWB technology is designed to be more power efficient than other technologies such as Wifi or Bluetooth. This makes it ideal for battery-dependent devices, such as IoT trackers or sensors.
- Minimal interference and high reliability: With low transmission power and a wide radio frequency spectrum, UWB remains stable in environments with lots of interference. It is also more difficult to intercept than other wireless technologies.
Implementations of UWB
UWB technology is increasingly being used in various industries. Here are some examples of UWB technology implementations.
- Tracking location: currently many devices that uses UWB to track goods accurately. In addition, this technology is also used for tracking in warehouses or factories.
- Automotive: in automotive industry, UWB is used for features such as keyless entry or even automatic parking systems.
- Smart home and IoT: UWB allows devices in smart homes to connect more efficiently such as lights that adjust to your position in the room.
- Medical: in health and medical industry, UWB is used for tracking medical equipment or patients in hospitals with high accuracy.
Regulatory control for UWB in Indonesia
As already mentioned, UWB is operated by using radio frequency signal. Therefore, every device equipped with UWB feature must meet the applicable technical standards in Indonesia. Fulfillment of these technical standards is carried out through a product certification process called DJID certification.
The DJID certification process is carried out to ensure that the UWB device operates on the assigned frequency band in Indonesia, so it will not cause interference with other radio frequencies. In addition, DJID certificate will also ensure the safety and reliability of UWB devices when it being used in Indonesian.
In Indonesia, the regulatory control of UWB is explained by the technical regulation of KEPMEN KOMINFO NO 260 year 2024. Referring to the technical regulation, there are several testing parameters that need to be done for UWB devices such as frequency range, power spectral density, and so on.
| Frequency range | Mean power spectral density | Peak EIRP density | Other emissions | Testing method |
| 3.1 – 3.4 GHz | -70 dBm | -36 dBm | ETSI EN 302 065 | ETSI EN 302 065 |
| 3.4 – 3.8 GHz | -80 dBm | -40 dBm | ETSI EN 302 065 | ETSI EN 302 065 |
| 3.8 – 6.0 GHz | -70 dBm | -30 dBm | ETSI EN 302 065 | ETSI EN 302 065 |
| 6.0 – 8.5 GHz | -41,3 dBm | 0 dBm | ETSI EN 302 065 | ETSI EN 302 065 |
| 8.5 – 10.6 GHz | -65 dBm | -25 dBm | ETSI EN 302 065 | ETSI EN 302 065 |
The required sample for UWB test is a conducted sample within a test mode. During the testing, the lab will conduct measurement of several testing parameters. If all UWB testing parameters are passed, then its test report can be used for the certification process.
If you have any question related to DJID certification, please don’t hesitate to contact us by sending enquiry to info@narmadi.com.
