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Robert Qiu, Huaping Liu,
& Xuemin (Sherman) Shen answer a
few questions about this month's fast breaking paper in
the field of Computer Science.
From
•>>August 2006
Field:
Computer Science
Article Title: Ultra-wideband for multiple access communications
Authors: Qiu, RC;Liu, HP;Shen, XM
Journal: IEEE COMMUN MAG
Volume: 43
Issue: 2
Page: 80-87
Year: FEB 2005
* Tennessee Technol Univ, Dept Elect & Comp Engn, Ctr Mfg Res, Cookeville, TN 38505 USA.
* Oregon State Univ, Dept Elect & Comp Engn, Corvallis, OR 97331 USA.
* Univ Waterloo, Dept Elect & Comp Engn, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
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 Why
do you think your paper is highly cited?
Ultrawideband (UWB) technology is a break-through in high-speed
wireless communications and networking. This paper covers a broad
view of this technology from basic physics to networking. The
style is engineering-oriented and neutral in its marketing trend
view. Many critical technical issues are pointed out and assessed.
Does
it describe a new discovery, methodology, or synthesis of
knowledge?
This paper describes a new methodology—the use of
unprecedented, large radio signal bandwidth. UWB impulse radio
is a revolutionary, power-limited technology, for its
unprecedented system bandwidth. The low emission and impulsive
nature of UWB radio leads to enhanced security in
communications. UWB impulse radio can be potentially implemented
with extremely low-cost (sub-one dollar) and low-power (battery
driven) consumption components.
Could
you summarize the significance of your paper in layman's terms?
Researchers may use this paper as a starting point and a
guideline. Engineers may get a realistic picture of the UWB
technology—without too much hype from industry. The tone of
this paper may help the UWB community to move in a healthy
direction.
How
did you become involved in this research, and were any problems
encountered along the way?
The first author (Robert Qiu) did his Ph.D. dissertation on
UWB radar and communications during the years 1993-1995. Since
then, he has spent his spare time studying UWB communication for
"fun"—his early work was not published, but it was
documented in a 30-page Bell Labs memorandum.
UWB was not legal for communications until 2002. The main
problems encountered were related to the very concept. We did
not know what mathematical tools were valid for UWB. The Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) spent several millions
of dollars to investigate, and concluded that the physics—Maxwell’s
equations—and linear mathematical tools, are still valid.
The three co-authors have, since then, been working on
related UWB issues at the physical and MAC (Media Access
Control) layers.
Are
there any social or political implications for your research?
UWB technology is a pure "Made in the USA"
technology. UWB radars have been used to detect stealth
airplanes and mines. The technology matured during the
1960s-1970s. UWB technology is a classical example for how a
military technology turns into a commercial breakthrough—often
through some small startups.
This example vividly illustrates the strength and enormous
potential of American technology accumulation. Most DoD
(Department of Defense) research projects charge the researchers
with potential commercial applications. The technology
transition to commercial applications can be accelerated through
some early seed investment from DoD and then by venture capital.
Dr. Robert Qiu, Associate Professor
Wireless Networking System Laboratory
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Center for Manufacturing Research
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN, USA
Dr. Huaping Liu
Associate Professor
School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR, USA
Xuemin (Sherman) Shen, Ph.D., P.Eng.
Professor
Associate Chair for Graduate Study
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
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ESI Special Topics,
August 2006
Citing URL - http://www.esi-topics.com/fbp/2006/august06-XueminShen.html
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