A survey on ultra wide band medium access control schemes

Ultra wideband (UWB) technology based primarily on the impulse radio paradigm has a huge potential for revolutionizing the world of digital communications especially wireless communications. UWB provides the integrated capabilities of data communications, advanced radar and precision tracking, location, imperceptibility and low power operation. It is therefore ideally suited for the development of robust and rapid wireless networks in complex and hostile environments. The distinct physical layer properties of the UWB technology warrants efficient design of medium access control (MAC) protocols. This paper introduces the unique UWB physical characteristics compared to the existing wireless technologies and discusses current research on MAC protocols for UWB. This report surveys most of the MAC protocols proposed so far for UWB, and may instigate further activities on this important and evolving technology.