Ultra Wideband technology is an infinite carrier communication technology that uses nanosecond non-sine wave narrow pulses to transmit data. Compared with traditional Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies, UWB technology has more advantages in terms of positioning accuracy, security, and anti-interference.
However, like LiDAR (lidar), which has recently been highly talked about, the development of early UWB technology is limited by factors such as cost performance, rarely appearing in the civilian market, and more in the military and communications fields. Until the past two years, the Internet of Things industry has achieved vigorous development under the blessing of AI, and the demand for accurate positioning and transmission distance of many mobile terminals has increased significantly, and manufacturers represented by several first-line mobile phone brands have successively introduced UWB technology into the commercial field, making it into the public vision.
It is reported that the current application of UWB technology has been oriented to many fields including smart home, smart city, smart retail, smart building, smart industry and so on. In April last year, the "Air Tag Smart Tracker" unveiled at Apple's spring 2021 new product launch conference pushed UWB technology to the cusp of the storm.
As one of the leading manufacturers in the domestic microsystem module industry, Goertek Microelectronics Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Goertek Microelectronics") has also recently launched two UWB modules - UWB GSUB-0001 and UWB GSUB-0002.
Directly hit the pain point, precise force
UWB GSUB-0001 module can be applied to smart factories, tags, smart wearables, smart retail, IoT and other fields, the product itself integrates UWB, Filter and other major devices. Supports bidirectional ranging/TDoA/PDoA positioning with data transfer rates up to 27Mbps and an up to 40MHz SPI interface. At the same time, the ultra-small LGA package can achieve ultra-low power consumption and positioning accuracy of up to 10cm.
The application areas of UWB GSUB-0002 module include smart wearables, smart homes, IoT, etc.; the product integrates major devices such as UWB, BLE, Filter, G-sensor and so on. Support bidirectional ranging/TDoA/PDoA positioning, data transfer rate up to 27Mbps. It has the advantages of high integration, low power consumption, high reliability, moisture resistance, corrosion resistance, etc., and can also achieve centimeter-level accurate positioning.
Different from conventional UWB modules, both products are designed in SiP (System in Package) system-in-packages.
As we all know, SiP technology came into being because of the trend of various mobile terminals in product miniaturization and thinning, and also committed to achieving more diversified functions and applications. The design of UWB+SiP can make the product more suitable for miniaturization in the consumer electronics market.
Goertek microelectronics told Jiwei Network: "The reason for using SiP technology to develop UWB modules is mainly based on three considerations. First, there are many peripheral devices in the UWB circuit, and the miniaturization design of the product can be well realized through SiP technology and the size of the module is reduced; second, due to the high frequency of UWB products, Working in 3.1GHz to 10.6GHz, RF design and debugging is more difficult, through SiP technology to achieve modularity, can improve the performance of the product, reduce the terminal product development debugging cycle; reduce the difficulty of product development, accelerate the development of product development and listing; third, because UWB RF signals need electromagnetic shielding, and the conventional metal shield shielding method is larger in size and heavier weight; the use of CFS conformal shielding, can meet the shielding effect, without increasing volume and weight. ”
It is reported that Based on different customer needs and product applications, Goertek Microelectronics combines SiP technology and UWB technology and launches a variety of products to cope with various application scenarios, which can be used by customers. At present, the company's ultra-broadband SiP modules have mass production capabilities.
In addition, the author also learned that the above two UWB SiP module products use ultra-small LGA packages, through such packaging methods, from the volume, heat dissipation performance, assembly costs and mass production yield of the product to improve the product.
Based on the LGA package, the Pad printing tin inside the module is directly connected to the PCB to reduce the height of the finished product assembly to a greater extent; thanks to the larger Soldering area of the LGA pad and the higher solder strength, even if the terminal runs multiple functions at the same time, it can also show good heat dissipation performance; in addition, the LGA packaging method can also reduce the subsequent ball planting process, thereby reducing the assembly cost of the module; finally, in the EMI shielding stage, the LGA package can reduce the risk of Spill station spillage , so as to improve the comprehensive yield of the product.
In addition to the advantages of the above products and technologies, two ultra-wideband SiP modules that have attracted the author's attention adopt the development mode of "Module &EVK& Algorithm Development Kit", which can effectively shorten the product development cycle of terminals.
The "Module & EVK & Algorithm Development Kit" combination is specifically expanded, first of all, EVK can support USB, serial port two communication methods, through the LCD can display the measured distance and angle changes in real time; secondly, the algorithm supports PDoA two-dimensional positioning, can display x, y axis coordinates in real time, but also supports TWR, TDOA ranging positioning algorithm, so that the ranging accuracy can reach about 10cm.
Finally, after the terminal gets the development kit, the relevant performance of UWB SiP can be directly evaluated, and the corresponding SDK is provided by Goertek Microelectronics, without re-engineering, without writing a driver, and directly in the existing routine for algorithm development or transplantation, which greatly shortens the cycle. Not only that, but there are all IO ports and power interfaces on the EVK, which is convenient for hardware and software engineers to debug. At the same time, there is an RF connector on the EVK, and the terminal plant only needs the external adapter cable connection test equipment to test the RF characteristics.
In summary, this set of "combination fists" is actually from the two aspects of software and hardware to optimize the portability and ease of use of products, thereby helping to accelerate the development progress of terminals, which is undoubtedly very important for the ever-changing consumer electronics market. More efficient completion of product development and even iterative upgrading is obviously more conducive to terminal manufacturers occupying a favorable position in the competition.
Both products achieve full scene coverage
As mentioned above, UWB GSUB-0001 is mainly aimed at smart factories, smart transportation, smart retail, smart homes, labels and other scenarios. The data transmission requirements of these emerging markets, which are booming with IoT technology, are also changing compared to traditional consumer electronics.
Goertek Microelectronics introduced to Jiwei Network: "For example: smart factories require more and more unmanned production and manufacturing, including logistics in-site transportation, automatic mobile homing of machinery and equipment, etc.; in the field of intelligent transportation, it is necessary to achieve high-level automatic driving, cars automatically adjust traffic lights according to traffic conditions, etc.; and in the smart retail industry, there are more and more scenarios requiring users to achieve convenient self-service... These new requirements and new scenarios rely on terminals to more accurately determine the target location and information. At the same time, these emerging markets have further shortened the product development cycle and the time to put into use. ”
In the face of the increasingly diverse and complex scenario requirements in the above IoT field, Goertek Microelectronics on the one hand through UWB technology to achieve centimeter-level positioning, can improve the accuracy of terminal capture and judgment of target information to a greater extent, on the other hand, combined with SiP technology, to help terminal manufacturers shorten the product development cycle and achieve the goal of rapid deployment of applications.
In addition to supporting a number of applications in the Field of IoT as UWB GSUB-0001, UWB GSUB-0002 also includes smart wearable terminal products in the scenarios it targets.
At present, wearable products can be roughly divided into three categories: ear-worn devices (TWS headphones, etc.), wrist-mounted devices (smart watches, bracelets, etc.), and head-mounted devices (AR/VR, etc.). Although the main applications are not the same, the three types of products are currently in the bottleneck of lack of innovation in the scene, equipment miniaturization and long-term endurance. UWB GSUB-0002 combined with UWB technology can improve positioning accuracy and SiP can achieve miniaturization of the two characteristics, giving wearable devices more possibilities.
"The use of UWB technology can determine accurate location information, in the wearable device to achieve access control punch card, employee attendance and indoor navigation in some scenarios (shopping malls, underground parking lots, hospitals, etc.); in addition, SiP's miniaturization advantages can further reduce the size of the wearable product motherboard, leaving more space for the battery, improving battery life and reducing size to bring better user experience."
Not only that, but by integrating G-sensor in modules, UWB GSUB-0002 can be more targeted to meet some of the most demanding power-critical applications, such as tags. Such products often rely on coin cell batteries for power, and power consumption is particularly important. Unlike other sensors, the G-sensor itself is characterized by its low power consumption.
It is reported that the UWB GSUB-0002 module relies on G-sensor perception data, can determine whether the device has a change in position, when the position changes, G-senor will notify the master to refresh the positioning data. If there is no change in position, both the master controller and the UWB chip are in a deep sleep state, thereby saving power consumption and extending the working time of the coin cell battery.
Write at the end:
Throughout the history of information technology development, almost all information technology is first applied in the field of military or communications, and gradually shifts to consumer electronics after maturity.
Goertek microelectronics said that the reason for choosing the UWB track is due to the consideration of technical maturity, cost and industrial chain. The company comprehensively analyzes the development of UWB technology and the current demand for high-precision intelligent positioning in consumer electronics and smart factories, and believes that UWB technology will be a new growth point for market demand and company performance.
According to a market analysis report released by techno Systems Research, global UWB shipments are expected to reach more than 200 million in 2021, and this data will exceed 1.2 billion in 2027. It can be seen that the UWB market size is rapidly expanding under the impetus of several technology giants, and more and more industrial chain manufacturers are investing in related product research and development, and actively promoting the landing of technology applications. With the increasing maturity of the reserves of upstream and downstream links in all aspects, the UWB market size is expected to enter an explosive period.