| In this book we focus on the basic signal processing that underlies current and future ultra wideband systems. By looking at signal processing in this way we hope this text will be useful even as UWB applications mature and change or regulations regarding ultra wideband systems are modified. The current UWB field is extremely dynamic, with new techniques and ideas being presented at every communications and signal-processing conference. The basic signal-processing techniques presented in this text though will not change for some time to come. Thus, we have taken a somewhat theoretical approach, which we believe is longer lasting and more useful to the reader in the long term than an up-to-the-minute summary that is out of date as soon as it is published.
We restrict our discussion in general to ultra wideband communication, looking in particular at consumer communication. What we mean by this is that although there are many and varied specialized applications for UWB, particularly for the military, we assume that the majority of readers will either be in academia or in industry. In any case, as this is a basic text aimed primarily at the undergraduate or graduate student, these basics should stand readers in good stead in their efforts to understand more advanced papers and make a contribution in this field for themselves. We are painfully aware of the depth and breadth of this field and, regretfully, pass on interesting topics, such as UWB radar, including groundpenetrating radar, and most military applications. For the former there is already a great deal of information available, while for the latter most material is classified. |