High-precision tracking and communication technology that could change the face of disasters, reduce combat risks, improve commercial processes and simply make every life a little easier will soon be a reality thanks, in part, to a team of our researchers.

With ground-breaking work on ultra-wide-band wireless communication, listed among the top 10 technologies to watch by CNN last year, TTU researchers are poised to test a technology that goes beyond the capabilities of global positioning systems to track and communicate.

"The potential impact of UWB is recognized by the most successful business leaders in the country," says Robert Qiu, associate professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering with the Center for Manufacturing Research. "In fact, even Bill Gates said that he expects the technology to create a new industry."

Qiu, along with co-principal investigator P.K. Rajan, chairman of Electrical and Computer Engineering, recently captured attention and funding from the U.S. Department of Defense with a proposal to build a testbed for UWB so that applications can be made quickly for ranging, sensing and communications in battlefields. Qiu says using UWB technology could mean the difference of life or death to a combat soldier, a firefighter or rescue worker in danger.

"Imagine if, on September 11, rescue workers had been able to track each other with small locators emitting a signal that could penetrate through a building, metal, fire or smoke," says Qiu. "This technology will allow all kinds of applications that will save lives."

"The potential is pretty phenomenal," says Ken Currie, CMR director. "The applications for defense can include detecting land mines, assessing enemy locations and tracking troops. There's such a potential for moving large amounts of data for commercial uses, too. Imagine a television set without wires. It can happen with this technology."

Qiu is quick to catalogue other applications that seem limitless. UWB can accurately locate a person or object within one inch of its location through any structure; GPS technology is only accurate up to one meter and does not work inside buildings. GPS is expensive; ultimately, says Qiu, UWB transmitters will cost only a few dollars.

"Commercially, you could reduce inventory time and increase efficiency in several ways," he says. "For example, by attaching UWB locators to each item inside a box or crate, a scan could count and identify what's in the box without its being opened. People could track their livestock and pets, or use the technology to allow a home to 'know' who walks in the door and create an environment suited just for them. For instance, when dad walks in the door, the computer would check his e-mail, the temperature would adjust — any device could be set to recognize his presence."

Former CEO of a technology company sold to Intel, Qiu leads the university's efforts to develop a testbed and allow our researchers to look at how they are transmitted and received. Then they will work to optimize the process.

"Our motivation is to use the testbed in order to accelerate the development cycle of new technologies," he says.

Interest in UWB exploded when the FCC issued an order declassifying information and allowing commercial indoor and outdoor applications in 2002. All major patents are held in the United States, making it what Qiu calls a "pure American-made technology."

TTU is one of only two universities in the country participating in a UWB study group with major international companies including Freescale Semiconductor (the former semiconductor arm of Motorola), France Telecom, Samsung, Fujitsu, Hitachi and Mitsubishi. Funds to create the testbed lab were awarded to TTU recently through the DOD's Defense University Research Instrumentation Program.

As with all new technologies, there are some initial obstacles to conquer.

"At this stage, it's important that researchers agree to standards that will allow us to keep the technology cheap enough for the practical applications we've envisioned," says Qiu.

The wait for these applications and more will be a relatively short one. Qiu predicts our work will take place in the next year, allowing many applications to be in use in about three years.