Range Estimation in UWB Realistic Environments

This paper investigates time of arrival (ToA) estimation methods for ultra-wide bandwidth (UWB) propagation signals. Different algorithms are implemented in order to detect the direct path in a dense multipath environment. In particular, suboptimal low-complex techniques based on peak detection are used to deal with partial overlap of signal paths. A comparison in terms of ranging accuracy, complexity, and parameters sensitivity to propagation conditions is carried out also considering a conventional technique based on threshold detection. The algorithms are tested on experimental data collected from a measurement campaign performed in a typical office building. © 2006 IEEE.