Samsung unveils ultra-wideband chipset that improves positioning accuracy

[Image captured from SamMobile]

Samsung Electronics Co. Tuesday announced its first ultra-wideband (UWB) chipset, the Exynos Connect U100, optimized for precise positioning in devices ranging from flagship smartphones to virtual reality (VR) devices.

UWB is a short-range wireless communication technology that quickly transmits large amounts of information at low power over a wide frequency band. It is used in various fields such as smart homes and smart factories because it can accurately measure the distance and position of devices within a few centimeters.

“Building on our technology leadership in communications technologies, we are committed to driving innovation in short-range communication solutions to transform the way we connect and relate to the world around us,” said Kim Joon-suk, executive vice president of the Connectivity Development Team at Samsung Electronics.

Market research firm Techno Systems Research forecasts that the number of devices equipped with UWB technology will surge to 1.8 billion by 2030 from 300 million last year. By 2030, 58 percent of all smartphones and 33 percent of all vehicles will be equipped with UWB technology.

Through its power-saving mode, the U100 can maximize the battery life of mobile and automotive solutions as well as IoT devices like smart tracking tags that run on batteries with limited power capacity, according to the company’s press release.

Leveraging time of arrival (ToA) and 3D angle of arrival (AoA) measurements, the Exynos Connect U100 provides an accuracy of single-digit centimeters and under five degrees. This makes it especially useful when tracking location in challenging indoor environments where GPS is unavailable as well as for AR and VR applications that require exact and real-time tracking of moving people.

The company said the Exynos Connect U100 has been certified by the FiRa Consortium, an industry-led non-profit organization that certifies UWB products for conformity to interoperability standards.

Samsung also unveiled Exynos Connect, a new brand that consolidates its short-range wireless communication solutions, such as UWB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi that are essential in facilitating an increasingly hyper-connected world.