Bidirectional UWB Localization: A Review on an Elastic Positioning Scheme for GNSS-deprived Zones

TL;DR

This paper reviews a bidirectional UWB localization scheme that unifies navigation and tracking in a single, flexible system, offering potential improvements for GNSS-deprived zones and integration with 5G/6G networks.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive system model, evaluates integration processes, and analyzes the scheme's potential for precise positioning in modern wireless networks.

Findings

Demonstrated the flexibility of bidirectional UWB for navigation and tracking

Conducted SWOT analysis highlighting strengths and challenges

Discussed potential integration with 5G/6G and Wi-Fi systems

Abstract

A bidirectional Ultra-Wideband (UWB) localization scheme is one of the three widely adopted design integration processes commonly used in time-based UWB positioning systems. The key property of bidirectional UWB localization is its ability to serve both navigation and tracking tasks within a single localization scheme on demand. Traditionally, navigation and tracking in wireless localization systems were treated as separate entities due to distinct applicable use-cases and methodological needs in each implementation process. Therefore, the ability to flexibly or elastically combine two unique positioning perspectives (navigation and tracking) within a single scheme can be regarded as a paradigm shift in the way location-based services are conventionally observed. This article reviews the mentioned bidirectional UWB localization from the perspective of a flexible and versatile positioning topology and highlights its potential in the field. In this regard, the article comprehensively describes the complete system model of the bidirectional UWB localization scheme using modular processes. It also discusses the demonstrative evaluation of two system integration processes and conducts a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of the scheme. Furthermore, the prospect of the presented bidirectional localization scheme for achieving precise location estimation in 5G/6G wireless mobile networks, as well as in Wi-Fi fine-time measurement-based positioning systems was briefly discussed.