Generating UWB Waveforms

The generation of ultra-wideband (UWB) waveforms is of great interest for applications ranging from communications to position sensing. Research and development engineers working in UWB are faced with the challenge of generating unique waveforms that meet their application requirements. In this article, UWB waveforms have been classified into four categories: step, rectangular, impulse and monocycle. Step waveforms typically have an extremely fast leading edge, a flat topline and a much slower trailing edge. Step generators provide the world's fastest transition times for commercial electronic pulse generators. Rectangular pulses with positive polarity have a fast leading edge transition or "risetime" and flat top line. An impulse generator has the advantage that it produces a single pulse with no opposite polarity impulse corresponding to the trailing edge of the generator's waveform. An impulse forming network is a component that may be connected to the output of a generator. A risetime filter is also a component that can be connected to the output of a generator.