Pervasive Ultra - wideband Low Spectral Energy Radio Systems ( PULSERS ) Expression of Interest for an Integrated Project ( EoI . FP 6 . 2002 )

SUMMARY The commercialization of short-range wireless devices based on the principles of ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology (UWB-RT) is widely expected within this decade, given the recent endorsement in the USA and Europe's similar efforts. The possible use and benefits of UWB-RT are significant in the areas of communications, imaging, ranging, sensing and public security. Also, the spectrum overlay capability of UWB signals offers the potential to alleviate problems related to finding and allocating new spectrum resources on a worldwide scale. It is anticipated that the future Wireless World will include large numbers of " intelligent devices " in the form of wireless transceivers built into appliances, sensors, beacons as well as identification tags and the like. The envisaged scenarios of such networked " ambient intelligence " imply that many of these devices will interact among themselves but also with their environment by exchanging various types of information, including their geographic positions in support of context-aware applications, services and even routing mechanisms. The prospect of a shortage in worldwide available spectrum resources and the growing number of active wireless devices, combined with their potential to further aggravate interference and electromagnetic exposure issues, favors the introduction of license-free systems based on ultra-wide spectrum overlay concepts. UWB-RT has also been identified as a potential key technology to enable the development of dynamic wireless networks that combine robustness, high resistance to intentional attacks, communication and location features. UWB devices will help in filling the current technical gaps towards the realization of the vision of a future Wireless World in the short-range space where a variety of high data rate and/or location-centric applications interact seamlessly and wirelessly. The commercial prospects and technical challenges to be overcome when developing and deploying UWB radio systems have spurred a growing activity within the wireless industry and research institutions alike. Some IST-FP5 projects are already focusing today on exploring the potential of low-power short-range UWB radio devices; they will soon deliver indications for an initial exploitation path for this promising new technology. However, there is a real need for a thorough study of its potential interoperation and coexistence with other wireless systems. Thus, an extended and well coordinated approach to design, trial and integration activities related to UWB-RT will significantly improve Europe's chances to be at the forefront of this revolutionary technique. Such an approach can ensure that future users will enjoy the advantages and services as offered by …