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12 Next-Gen Connectivity for Smart Living Introduction Ultra-wideband (UWB) is an IEEE 802.15.4a/z standard technology optimized for secure micro-location-based applications. It enables distance and location to be calculated indoors or outdoors with unprecedented accuracy—within a few centimeters—by measuring the time it takes radio signals to travel between devices. Along with centimeter-level ranging accuracy, emphasis was placed on defining a standard that would make UWB robust and immune to various forms of interference, assuring a high level of reliability. The UWB standard was also designed with low power and low cost in mind, and with a focus on meeting requirements to support large numbers of connected devices. The engineers who created the standard had a vision to make every connected object "location-aware." UWB is being incorporated into leading smartphones and a wide range of other devices, and ultimately will become a ubiquitous communication standard. It is already being applied to solve problems in many different industries and applications, including keyless car entry, improving efficiency and safety in factories, locating essential supplies in hospitals, and controlling smart devices in homes. The biggest potential for UWB is in a completely new generation of micro-location-based systems. Just as Wi- Fi® and GPS paved the way for previously inconceivable applications, UWB will enable a wave of applications that use highly accurate location and distance sensing to deliver new experiences and capabilities. Today, people and businesses want to be able to locate pretty much anything in real time, whatever its size. Let's say you're at home and misplaced your car keys, or you're in a grocery store and can't find your favorite brand of coffee. Or maybe you're working in a factory and need a particular tool from a storage bin, or you're a site manager dealing with an emergency and need to make sure everyone's exited the building. Indoor positioning at the micro level helps in all these situations because it can locate items and guide you to where they are. To offer enough accuracy, reliability, and real-time capability, the underlying technology needs to be designed for precise location. UWB is changing the game by delivering accurate location information that can be used in a myriad of ways. Getting Back to Basics with Ultra-Wideband By Qorvo