Mobile phone UWB technology is a good helper for smart home

The full name of UWB technology is Ultra Wide Band, which is ultra-wideband communication and has a bandwidth of 500MHz to transmit data. It does not use the sinusoidal carrier wave in the traditional communication system, but uses nanosecond-level non-sinusoidal narrow pulses to transmit data, so it occupies a large spectrum range. UWB technology has the following advantages:

High rate: Due to the use of ultra-wideband spectrum resources, UWB technology can achieve data transmission rates of up to several hundred megabits per second.

Low power consumption: Due to the use of non-sinusoidal narrow pulse signals, UWB technology can achieve high-rate communication at very low transmit power.

Precise positioning: Due to the use of nanosecond-level narrow pulse signals, UWB technology can use the time-difference ranging method (TDOA) or phase ranging method (POA) to achieve centimeter-level or even millimeter-level precise positioning.

Anti-interference: Due to the use of ultra-wideband spectrum resources, UWB technology can effectively avoid interference from other wireless communication systems and will not cause obvious interference to other wireless communication systems.

UWB technology on mobile phones first appeared on September 11, 2019. At the iPhone 11 launch conference, Apple announced that it was equipped with a U1 chip (UWB chip), which enables it to carry out ultra-wideband spectrum range transmission and achieve centimeter-level accurate locating. Apple uses this technology to provide users with a smarter and more convenient experience, such as:

AirDrop File sharing: Users only need to point iPhone 11 to another device equipped with a U1 chip to quickly share files with the other party.

Location tracking: Users can use iPhone 11 and matching AirTag tags to locate and track the location of their lost or stolen items.

Smart home control: Users can use iPhone 11 to control smart devices in their homes that support the HomeKit protocol and are equipped with U1 chips, such as lights, speakers, TVs, etc.

In addition to Apple, other mobile phone manufacturers have also begun to pay attention to and apply UWB technology. For example:

Samsung: Samsung released two flagship phones, Galaxy Note20 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold2, in August 2020, both of which are equipped with an S1 chip (also a UWB chip). Samsung uses this technology to provide users with functions similar to Apple's AirDrop, smart home control functions and digital key functions.

Xiaomi: Xiaomi released a new feature called "One Finger Link" in October 2020, and stated that it will launch a mobile phone equipped with UWB technology in the next year. Xiaomi uses this technology to provide users with a new function called "One Finger Link". Users only need to point their mobile phones at the smart device to call up the control interface, point it at the TV, and directly cast the screen and control it with one finger.

So, how is the "One Finger Link" function implemented? In fact, the principle is very simple: Xiaomi UWB technology has a large bandwidth of 500MHz to transmit information, and uses multiple antennas to measure signal arrival time and angle. In this way, it improves positioning accuracy to centimeter level and can identify the distance and direction between the phone and the device.

As a user who has tried the "One Finger Link" function, I am very surprised by the convenience and intelligence it brings. I no longer need to worry about where the remote control or switch is, and I no longer need to frequently switch between different apps to control different devices. I can complete various operations with just one finger on my phone. I thought this was a really magical and fun experience. Of course, the "one-finger link" function is just the most intuitive example of UWB technology application in mobile phones.

The future outlook of UWB technology for mobile phones

As a new generation connection technology with ultra-precise positioning, mobile phone UWB technology has broad application prospects and market potential. In addition to the above-mentioned file sharing, location tracking, smart home control and other functions, there are also the following possible application scenarios:

Digital Key: Have you ever had the embarrassing experience of forgetting your keys or entering the wrong password? If your phone supports UWB technology, you can use it to unlock your car, home or office, etc., without using traditional keys or passwords. You just need to get close to the lock and your phone will automatically recognize and unlock it. This is not only convenient, but also safe.

Indoor navigation: Have you ever been troubled by getting lost in large shopping malls, airports, museums, etc.? If your mobile phone supports UWB technology, then you can obtain your precise position and direction in the indoor environment, and conduct navigation and path planning based on the target location. You no longer need to look for signs or ask staff, you can easily find where you want to go by just glancing at your phone.

Social Interaction: Do you ever have trouble finding your friends or family in a crowd? If you and they both use mobile phones that support UWB technology, then you can identify and locate their locations around you, and you can exchange information or interact with them in games. For example, you can use your mobile phone to send them emoticons, pictures or voice messages, or you can use your mobile phone to play some interesting games with them.

Mobile phone UWB technology is a revolutionary communication and positioning technology that will bring us a smarter, more convenient, safer and more interesting life experience. We look forward to more phones and devices supporting this technology appearing on the market, more innovative and practical application scenarios being developed, and seeing them create more surprises.