UWB
Also: Ultra-Wideband, Ultra Wideband, UWB-Ortung, UWB-Technologie, UWB-Lokalisierung, RTLS UWB
AI-generated
UWB (Ultra-Wideband) is a radio technology that uses extremely short high-frequency pulses to locate objects and people in real time with centimeter-level accuracy. Unlike Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, UWB achieves significantly higher localization precision with low susceptibility to interference.
Key facts
- UWB achieves positioning accuracy of typically 10–30 centimeters in industrial environments through time-of-flight measurement of radio signals.
- Compared to Wi-Fi- or Bluetooth-based positioning, UWB is significantly more robust against reflections and interference in metal-dense warehouse environments.
- UWB systems consist of fixed anchors and mobile tags; the resulting position data must be integrated into a WMS or control system via appropriate interfaces.
- Typical use cases in intralogistics include vehicle tracking, asset tracking, personnel protection, and process analysis through movement recording.
What is UWB?
Ultra-Wideband – or UWB for short – is a radio standard that uses a very wide frequency range and transmits extremely short signal pulses. These pulses enable time-of-flight measurements with an accuracy of just a few centimeters. This sets UWB clearly apart from other radio technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, or RFID, which – depending on the environment – can only deliver positional data accurate to meters or decimeters. UWB transmits across a wide frequency band, making it less susceptible to multipath reflections from shelving, machinery, or forklifts – a common problem in industrial facilities.
How does UWB work in practice?
A UWB positioning system consists of two key components: fixed anchors (reference points mounted on walls, ceilings, or columns) and mobile tags attached to vehicles, load carriers, tools, or personnel. The anchors measure the time of flight of radio signals from the tags and use this to calculate the precise position – typically displayed on a 2D or 3D map of the facility. The position data is transmitted in real time to a higher-level system, such as a warehouse management system, a fleet control system for industrial trucks, or a safety platform for personnel protection.
In intralogistics, this gives rise to several typical use cases:
- Real-time tracking of industrial trucks for collision avoidance and route optimization
- Tracking of load carriers, containers, or tools on the shop floor
- Personnel protection in zones with autonomous or manually operated vehicles
- Process analysis through movement recording and heatmaps
Depending on the installation and vendor, accuracy typically ranges between 10 and 30 centimeters. Metal-dense environments, high shelving densities, or moving objects can affect quality – this should be taken into account during planning.
What matters when making a selection?
Several factors play a role when choosing a UWB system. First, the required accuracy: personnel protection applications generally demand higher precision than basic asset tracking. Second, the installation effort: the number and placement of anchors depends on the hall size, floor plan, and required coverage. Third, integration: UWB systems deliver raw data that must first be transferred to a WMS, ERP, or control system via middleware or direct interfaces. Interface standardization varies by vendor and should be addressed early in the tendering process. Fourth, operating costs: tag battery life, maintenance cycles, and scalability as the number of tags grows significantly impact the total cost of ownership. UWB is particularly well suited when other technologies such as RFID or camera-based systems reach their limits – for example, in dynamic environments, applications requiring high real-time responsiveness, or complex 3D structures.
Related terms
- AGV
AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) refers to driverless transport vehicles that automatically move goods in warehouses and production environments. They follow predefined or sensor-controlled routes without a human driver.
- AMR
AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) is a driverless, self-navigating transport robot that moves goods within a warehouse without any fixed installed infrastructure. It orientates itself independently using sensors and digital maps, and dynamically avoids obstacles.
- AR
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information onto the real field of view in real time. In intralogistics, AR is used primarily in picking, maintenance and training.
- Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality (AR) overlays the real environment in real time with digital information such as text, graphics, or 3D models. In intralogistics, AR primarily supports picking, maintenance, and the onboarding of new employees.
- Automatisierung
Automation refers to the use of technologies and systems to execute processes fully or partially without human intervention. In intralogistics, the spectrum ranges from simple conveyor systems to fully automated high-bay warehouses with autonomous vehicles.
- BDE-System
A BDE system (operational data collection system) captures machine and manual process data in real time directly at the source – such as at machines, conveyor systems, or workstations.
- BDE-Terminals
BDE terminals are stationary or mobile devices used for operational data capture, enabling employees at workstations, machines, or warehouse areas to digitally record process, time, and quantity data directly at the point of origin.
- Barcode
A barcode is a machine-readable optical code that represents information as a pattern of bars and spaces or as a two-dimensional matrix. It enables the automatic identification of items, load carriers, and documents along the entire supply chain.
- Barcodescanner
A barcode scanner is an optical reading device that captures printed barcodes and converts them into machine-readable data. It is used in intralogistics for the seamless identification of goods, load carriers, and storage locations.
- Datenfunkgeräte
Data radio devices are mobile or stationary hardware components that transmit data wirelessly via radio protocols such as WLAN or cellular. In warehouse and transport environments, they form the operational interface between employees and IT systems such as WMS or ERP.
- Datenfunkterminal
A data radio terminal is a mobile device for wireless data capture and transmission in the warehouse, combining a display, input, and scanner in one unit. It typically communicates with a warehouse management system via Wi-Fi and supports processes such as goods receipt, picking, and inventory counting.
- Digital Warehouse
Digital Warehouse refers to a warehouse in which processes, systems and decisions are consistently data-driven and system-guided. Typical building blocks include a warehouse management system, real-time visibility, IoT sensors, mobile data capture and automated optimization logic.