3. UWB Applications

UWB is being used to develop several new wireless applications, including consumer communication devices, imaging services and vehicular radar. These applications are considered in the following sections:

3.1 Imaging Radar Systems

The needs of the military for systems that can identify camouflaged and buried objects or installations had been the main driver in the development of UWB imaging systems. The use of these systems has now expanded from military to public security and protection purposes. For example, UWB radar systems could be used to locate persons hidden underground or behind objects or debris in crisis or rescue situations.

Frequencies in the lower part of the radio spectrum (<1 GHz) could penetrate ground and wall surfaces and are useful in the detection of buried objects such as bodies and in providing through-wall security monitoring.

UWB technology has been used for some time in ground-penetrating radar applications and is currently being developed for innovative types of imaging systems for medical (diagnostic) and industrial use. UWB imaging devices are also beginning to be used in the building construction and maintenance industry to locate and measure reinforcement bars in concrete and electric wiring and pipes inside walls and thick foundations. Because imaging radar devices are used infrequently, their deployment in New Zealand is expected to be sparse.

The frequency bands considered for imaging are: below 960 MHz, 1900 to 10600 MHz, and 3100 to 10600 GHz.

3.2 Vehicular Radar Systems

Vehicular or automotive radar systems are currently promoted as the first widespread civilian use for UWB technology. These systems aim for a high range and position accuracy and could be used to improve automotive safety in the form of collision avoidance systems, safer deployment of airbags, restraint system arming, and parking assistance.

UWB is considered to be more cost effective than conventional technology for high precision radar systems, making it more economical and affordable to use in enhancing the safety features of vehicles in the future.

UWB for vehicular radar application is envisaged to operate near 24 GHz. As these devices may become pervasive and their operation is mostly mobile and outdoors, the potential to interfere with other services may increase over time.

The development of an international standard for UWB automotive radar is a pressing issue for New Zealand. A global alliance of motor vehicle and electronics manufacturers is developing an international standard, known as Short range Automotive Radar frequency Allocation (SARA), which utilises a combination of conventional and UWB radar devices. The Ministry was approached by the alliance's representatives in early 2004, who were hoping that regulations would be in place worldwide by the end of 2004, to enable implementation in 2005. Their proposal incorporates the recent FCC standard for UWB vehicular radar. The Ministry also received enquiries from an automotive distributor in New Zealand on importing UWB radar-enabled vehicles based on SARA.

The FCC emission mask of intentional emissions of UWB vehicular radar spans the 22.0 GHz - 29.0 GHz range. These in-band and out-of-band limits are reproduced in more detail in Table 6. The current GURL for Short Range Devices in New Zealand only covers the 24.0 - 24.25 GHz band. Operating a 24 GHz collision avoidance radar conforming to the FCC limits (or even the Draft ETSI EN 302 2878-1 Standard) in New Zealand would therefore constitute an infringement. 5

The emission mask of intentional emissions of UWB vehicular radar would overlap with the internationally allocated Radio Astronomy band of 23.6 - 24.0 GHz to which International Radio Regulation (IRR) No. 5.340 applies. This regulation states that all emissions are prohibited in this band. Therefore, operating a 24 GHz vehicular radar in New Zealand would currently be in violation of IRR. In the US, vehicular radar emissions within the 23.6 - 24 GHz band that appear 30 degrees or greater above the horizon by 25 dB below the limits specified in Table 6 have to be attenuated.

New Zealand could choose to invoke Article No. 4.4 of the IRR 6 if it is satisfied that operation of the devices would not cause interference to radio reception outside its sovereign territory. Due to the isolation of New Zealand and the low e.i.r.p of UWB devices, it is unlikely that these devices would cause interference to radio reception outside the country. There are currently no licences recorded in the 23.6 - 24.0 GHz band, although there may be some receive-only Radio Astronomy use.

The regulatory developments in Asia on vehicular radar are not clear at this stage. UWB vehicular radar-enabled automotives are expected to become available in Europe after July 2005.

3.3 Wireless Communications Systems

The use of UWB technology in communications systems evolved during the 1980s to meet the needs of US government agencies, especially for communications systems with low intercept and detection probability. Today, interest in UWB devices extends to civilian use. One major advantage of UWB is that very high data rates are possible at low power levels. UWB communications devices are expected to operate in the 3.1 - 10.6 GHz band.

Future UWB communications systems are likely to be for applications catering to the general public: Personal Area Networks (PAN), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), enabling such applications as connecting laptops wirelessly to the office LAN; wireless data streaming from a camcorder to the hard drive of a PC; and delivering wireless connections between stereo-systems, DVD players, computers, displays and speakers, which could simplify the installation of consumer devices at the same time remove unsightly wires.

At the Consumer Electronics Show held in the US in January 2005, a prototype of an UWB-enabled cell phone demonstrated by Motorola and Freescale Semiconductors connects wirelessly to a laptop and downloads photos taken by the phone or MP3 files from the Internet. This could mean that the merging of cellular technology with UWB is not a remote possibility and that UWB communication devices may become a common feature in most computing and communications devices.

Issue 3.a

The Ministry invites comments on the future demand for UWB imaging, vehicular radar and wireless communications system applications in New Zealand, along with comments on any sharing issues. The Ministry also invites views on the existing and planned receive-only Radio Astronomy use in the 23.6 - 24.0 GHz band in New Zealand.

5 Clause 37f of the Radiocommunications Regulations.

6 Article 4.4 states that Administrations shall not assign to a station any frequency in derogation of the Radio Regulations, except on the express condition that such a station, when using such a frequency assignment, shall not cause harmful interference to, and shall not claim protection from harmful interference caused by, a station operating in accordance with the provision of ITU rules.