UWB pulse radio transceivers and antennas: Considerations on design and implementation

Abstract

This paper reports some considerations regarding the implementation of system-on-a-chip ultra-wideband pulse radar transceivers in nano-scale silicon technology, with emphasis on radars and their integration with planar antennas. In particular, it addresses some of the key design aspects and solutions proposed for the pulse generation, signal propagation and integration with antennas. The effectiveness of the adopted approach has been confirmed by means of direct measurements, as well as functional tests of the radar transceiver and field operational tests of the entire radar sensor for contactless motion detection.

Design Variations on Planar Differential Antenna with Potential for Multiple, Wide, and Narrow Band Coverage

“…In particular, by folding the two radiating elements with = 4 cm, we obtain in this case multiple bands, which provide coverage of the 2.4 GHz ISM band and the lower portion (about 3-5 GHz) of the UWB band. This last interesting aspect could be exploited for the implementation of reconfigurable single-antenna single-chip transmitters, or receivers, characterized by highly reusable building blocks [23] and capable of operating over multiple bands, be it narrow and wide bands, both for communication and sensing applications [24].…”

On-Body Characterization of Planar Differential Antennas for Multiple, Wide, and Narrow Bands

“…UWB radar for contactless detection of respiratory rate of human beings [1][2][3][4] is an active research area requiring innovative transceiver and antenna developments [5,6]. A novel planar differential antenna was proposed recently by our research group [7].…”

Editors' Choice—Review—Semiconductor Integrated Radar for Sensing Applications

“…The operational tests carried out within a distance radar-target within one meter have shown the detection of sub-centimeter spatial resolution and respiratory rate patterns in adults (both genders) and infant volunteers, including apnoea. These results have been obtained by means a compact radar sensor with novel low-cost planar antennas, [48][49][50] as shown in Fig. 21, without adopting complex and bulky three-dimensional structure antennas more directive and with superior performances.…”