UWB device combines secure ranging and short-range radar

The Trimension SR250 combines low-power short-range UWB radar operating at 6-8.5 GHz, secure ranging and angle-of-arrival (AoA) calculations to enable newuse cases based on UWB mapping, human or object detection and secure positioning.

“In the autonomous home it enables home access, home entertainment and home appliances and automation,says Sunil Jogi, Marketing Director, UWB at NXP Semiconductors. "These can include turning lights or TVs on or off based on presence, enabling secure home access capabilities, or even monitoring the safety of an elderly person living alone without intrusive cameras."

"The device supports safety, security and productivity applications, being capable of tracking location for workers, goods or assets, access control, collision avoidance and danger zone detection,.” he adds.

The Trimension SR250 joins a broad portfolio of UWB devices from NXP spanning automotive, mobile and IoT applications.

It supports 3D AoA, time difference of arrival (TDOA), and takes time of flight (ToF) readings accurate to within ±5 cm. For use cases that require added security, it can be combined with the EdgeLock SE051W secure element.To simplify certification and ensure interoperability, the Trimension SR250 complies with the FiRa Consortium 3.0 technical specifications. Jogi participates in standardization and certification efforts for UWB technology with the FiRa Consortium and the Connectivity Standards Alliance. He has also co-authored a book on UWB technology, Ultra-Wideband Demystified, and has multiple patents on connectivity and sensor technologies.

While UWB secure ranging requires communication between two UWB-enabled devices to detect location or presence, UWB radar is a passive solution requiring only the single-chip IC.

Leveraging low-power radar operating at 6-8.5 GHz, the Trimension SR250 can detect presence, location or even motion, such as breathing or gestures. It can also detect and track one or more people or objects when interfaced to a host processor running AI/ML algorithms, such as the i.MX family of applications processors, RW61x family of wireless MCUs or the MCX family of MCUs.

The Trimension SR250 integrates on-chip radar processing, allowing it to perform radar processing autonomously and reducing the overall energy consumption of the system.For example,the host processor can be in a deep sleep mode, while the TrimensionSR250 can use the on-chip presence detection to sense a moving person or object.

Firmware, middleware, and sample applications support simplifies development and deployment. This includes firmware with support for updates, APIs for the UWB Command Interface,updateable middleware, including C programming language APIs for radar operation, and example  radar applications and algorithms.

With a broad ecosystem of partners, modules and development kits, NXP makes it easy to start developing quickly.

The Trimension SR250 is currently sampling and is expected to be generally available in Q4 2024, including through NXP’s broad ecosystem of module partners