Ultra-Wideband in Modern Location Systems

New Tech Tuesdays

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Published June 30, 2026

Keyless entry is quickly becoming an expected feature in modern vehicles. Unlike traditional fobs, digital key systems allow drivers to unlock and start their cars simply by approaching them. For keyless entry systems to remain secure, they must do more than detect the presence of an authorized mobile device. Digital key systems must verify precise device location—not just proximity—to prevent relay attacks. Unfortunately, that level of accuracy exceeds what the Global Positioning System (GPS) can reliably provide.

Across many applications, engineers are running into a problem: Systems need to understand physical location, not just connectivity. As a solution, engineers are turning to ultra-wideband (UWB) to play a larger role in real-time location system (RTLS) design. This week’s New Tech Tuesdays explores how UWB enables high-precision location tracking, how it overcomes the limits of traditional positioning technologies, and where it is already delivering value across real-world applications.

Traditional positioning methods such as GPS, Wi-Fi^® triangulation, and Bluetooth^® proximity work well for approximate location tracking but were not originally built for precision. In indoor, underground, and industrial environments, their performance can be inconsistent because of interference and signal reflections.

GPS has its own limitations. In some areas, GPS jamming and interference have raised new concerns for systems that rely solely on satellite navigation. Designers are starting to plan for alternatives that can continue working when GPS does not.

UWB uses a different approach than narrowband wireless positioning systems. Instead of relying on signal strength to determine distance, UWB uses time-of-flight (ToF) measurements. This technique enables centimeter-level accuracy even in complex indoor environments with interference from other wireless systems. Additionally, angle-of-arrival (AoA) techniques add directional awareness, allowing some UWB systems to estimate both distance and direction for precise 2D or 3D positioning. Together, ToF and AoA provide a precise estimate of an object’s location.

Many modern systems need more than rough proximity. In hospitals, warehouses, and robotics applications, knowing an object’s exact position can directly affect others’ safety. This need is pushing engineers toward more precise technologies.

UWB is implemented in a variety of environments. In industrial settings, UWB can help track tools, pallets, and equipment inside facilities where GPS does not work.^[1] That kind of visibility can make day-to-day operations easier to manage, especially in large or complex sites.

In healthcare environments, items such as infusion pumps, wheelchairs, and portable monitors are constantly moved. Knowing where those assets are helps staff spend less time searching and more time focused on patient care. Some systems also support patient flow and staff coordination in busy clinical environments.^[2]

In robotics and automation, precise positioning is essential for machines operating in shared spaces. Mobile robots in warehouses and factories need reliable awareness of their position relative to infrastructure and other moving systems. This spatial awareness is essential for autonomous operation.^[3]

The Qorvo QM33120WDK2 Ultra-Wideband Development Kit is designed to support engineers developing high-precision RTLS and UWB positioning solutions. The kit provides an evaluation platform for implementing ToF-based ranging techniques such as two-way ranging (TWR).^[4] Additionally, it supports advanced positioning capabilities such as AoA.

With demand growing across the automotive, industrial automation, robotics, and healthcare industries, development solutions like the QM33120WDK2 help simplify the integration of UWB into intelligent devices.

UWB enables precise, reliable location awareness where traditional methods fall short, using ToF and AoA techniques to deliver centimeter-level accuracy. That precision is already enhancing applications such as secure access, robotics, and asset tracking, and is helping make real-time location a core capability in modern connected systems.

Sources

[1]https://www.rfwireless-world.com/terminology/uwb-vs-gps
[2]https://www.minew.com/how-uwb-indoor-navigation-is-powering-smarter-healthcare-in-hong-kong
[3]https://dataintelo.com/report/tool-tracking-with-uwb-for-robots-market
[4]https://www.firaconsortium.org/resource-hub/blog/uwb-terminology