What is Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Technology?
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is a wireless communication technology that is known for its high precision localization capabilities. UWB uses short-range, low-energy pulses to measure the time of flight between devices, enabling extremely accurate distance measurements between them. This makes UWB ideal for ranging applications, such as indoor positioning, asset tracking, and geofencing. With its ability to provide sub-centimeter accuracy and operate in challenging environments, UWB is becoming increasingly popular in industries such as logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare.
UWB technology has gained significant attention in recent years, especially after being added to Apple’s iPhones since iPhone 11 back in 2019. In addition to Apple, other device manufacturers such as Samsung and Google have also adopted UWB technology in their devices, and UWB is becoming standard in the latest generation of smartphones, smartwatches, and other wearables. Research by ABI suggests that around 40% of shipped smartphones will have UWB by 2026. The integration of UWB in smartphones has opened doors for multiple high precision localization and ranging applications.
Specifically, UWB-based keyless entry systems have gained traction in the automotive industry after being approved by the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) and the Digital Key Release 3.0 (DK3.0) specification. CCC is a global standardization organization that develops and promotes technologies for seamless connectivity between cars and mobile devices. DK3.0 is a specification that defines a standardized ecosystem for digital car keys, allowing users to securely access and start their cars using their smartphones. UWB technology has been identified by CCC and DK3.0 as the preferred technology for high precision localization and secure communication between digital keys and cars. This recognition has further accelerated the adoption of UWB technology in the automotive industry and by smartphones.
About the FiRa Consortium
The FiRa (Fine Ranging) Consortium was established to drive the adoption and development of UWB technology across various industries. Formed by leading technology companies, including tech giants Apple, Google, Samsung, Renesas, HID, and Cisco, the consortium focuses on ensuring interoperability, defining use cases, and setting standards for UWB-based solutions.
On January 14th 2025, the FiRa® Consortium has released the next version of its specification, FiRa 3.0. This new version promises to introduce enhancements that will unlock additional use cases for UWB, making it more versatile and expanding its utility. Let’s take a closer look at some of the anticipated use cases that are supported by FiRa 3.0
-
Logical Access to Personal Devices
UWB technology has the potential to both enhance security and make life easier through proof-of-presence mechanisms in personal devices. With UWB secure ranging, devices can detect when a user is nearby, adding an extra layer of authentication when logging in or accessing certain applications. This can replace the need for password inputting or serve as an additional authentication factor, making life easier for users. Additionally, FiRa 3.0 enables use cases where proof-of-presence can serve as a safety measure to automatically lock sessions or applications when the user moves away from the device. It can also define “unlock authorized Zones of Interest,” where access is only enabled within specific regions, enhancing security for critical systems and offices.
-
Tap-Free Mobile Payment
FiRa 3.0 will bring new conveniences to mobile payment systems, enabling a truly tap-free experience. This use case can be implemented in various scenarios:
Public Transport Fare Collection
FiRa 3.0 will support public transport systems equipped with UWB capabilities, making fare collection more seamless and efficient. Users will be able to install a ticketing application on their UWB-enabled smartphone and as users approach a transport gate or fare collection point, the system will automatically detect the presence of their device, enabling quick and contactless fare processing. This use case will simplify the payment experience, reduce congestion, and provide a more user-friendly alternative to traditional NFC or QR-code-based payment solutions.
Retail Scenario
UWB-enabled devices will allow contactless payments without the need for physical contact with a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. When a customer’s UWB-enabled smartphone or wearable (such as a smartwatch) approaches a POS terminal, the devices detect each other and wait for the customer to express their intention to pay. This can be done by:
- Opening a payment application on their UWB device through a notification or directly in the user interface, then confirming the payment.
- Entering a fee-collecting location, such as entering a museum, or exiting a store.
- Holding their UWB device within a designated payment zone, which is similar to NFC but with fewer strict positioning requirements.
This seamless payment process speeds up transactions, reduces checkout times, and improves customer experience.
Car Park Scenario
In the car park use case, drivers or passengers can use UWB-enabled smartphones or smartwatches to interact with parking controllers for entering and exiting car parks. While the car park controller may utilize other technologies to detect cars queuing at entry or exit points, it primarily relies on UWB to identify devices capable of making payments.
To facilitate transactions for multiple UWB devices within a car, the system can verify the appropriate device for the transaction and allow users to select it. This feature ensures seamless and secure payments without the need for manual intervention.
Conclusion
The release of FiRa 3.0 represents a significant step forward for UWB technology, expanding its capabilities across a range of new, practical use cases. By integrating UWB in public transport, secure device authentication, and contactless payment systems, FiRa 3.0 paves the way for a smarter, more connected world. With this upcoming specification, the FiRa Consortium continues to lead the way in enabling precise, secure, and reliable ranging and positioning technology, setting the stage for widespread adoption in the years to come. The Ceva-Waves UWB platform IP, consists of a power-optimized hardware MAC and PHY solution, incorporating advanced interference suppression from Wi-Fi signals, and complemented by comprehensive software packages for FiRa MAC, CCC DK3.0 MAC, and Radar.