List of UWB channels

This List of Ultra-wideband (UWB) Channels describes the physical bands and TFC codes defined in the WiMedia Alliance PHY specification, as well as their link to the logical channels used in the higher layers such as the Wireless USB driver.

Spectrum Definition

Many countries have allocated spectrum for UWB use, with various restrictions and power output limits. The standardized output level for UWB communications is –41.3dBm/MHz. The WiMedia Alliance has defined fourteen 500-MHz bands to divide up the 3.1-10.6 GHz spectrum allocated for Ultra-Wideband communications in the U.S. in 2002.

Many countries had already allocated some spectrum <6 GHz for other uses such as GPS and satellite communications and therefore desired a way to protect those existing devices and applications while allocating additional spectrum for UWB communications, with the idea that UWB devices would avoid the traditional transmitters when they came into geographical proximity or radio range. DAA stands for “Detect and Avoid” and is a similar technique to cognitive radio that was defined for this legacy coexistence. Cognitive radio attempts to detect “primary users” and switch communications to another unused channel. Cognitive Radio is often in the news for trying to make use of the “White Space” between legacy TV broadcast channels. DAA is different in that UWB communications continue on the same band, but actually notch out the transmit spectrum around the legacy channel, so that they don't interfere but can make use of the channel. The requirement of DAA was placed on the Band Group 1 spectrum by the E.U. and others in 2006 with an implementation deadline of Dec 31, 2010.