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Ranging system and method

  • US 8,054,863 B2
  • Filed: 06/04/2008
  • Issued: 11/08/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2007
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of estimating range to an object comprising:

  • transmitting at least one UWB signal;

    receiving at least one UWB signal;

    sampling the received UWB signal depending on a plurality of clock and/or sample pulses having a first frequency;

    providing a fractional signal having a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency and a phase that is dependent on the delay between when the UWB signal is actually received and when the received UWB signal is first sampled, wherein providing the fractional signal comprises;

    starting an oscillation signal A when the UWB signal is received, signal A having a third frequency which is similar to the first frequency;

    starting an oscillation signal B when the first clock or sample pulse occurs after signal A starts, signal B having a fourth frequency which has a relatively small frequency difference to the third frequency;

    multiplying signals A and B to generate signal C; and

    providing the lower frequency component of signal C as the fractional signal; and

    determining the range based on at least a first number of clock or sample pulses between transmitting and receiving the UWB signal and the phase of the fractional signal.

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