Performance evaluation of IEEE 802.15.4-2011 IR-UWB system with enhanced modulation scheme

In this paper, we propose and analyze an enhanced modulation scheme for impulse radio ultra wideband (IR-UWB) communications based on the IEEE Std. 802.15.4-2011. Currently, the pulse position modulation as utilized in the standard wastes 50% of the possible transmission time, but with suitable enhancement it can be taken into effective use. The advantages of the proposed improvement include data rate increase and enhanced resilience against multi-user interference and poor channel conditions. We provide IR-UWB receivers' performance evaluations and comparisons by simulations in a real measured and modelled body-to-external channel model with different modulations. In addition, we provide analytical system level results of the IEEE Std. 802.15.4-2011 based communication system. We demonstrate on a network level how the proper selection of the IR-UWB modulation can increase the successful traffic volume up to 74%. All this is performed with backward compatibility to the aforementioned standard and, moreover, it can be utilized in the IEEE Std. 802.15.6-2012 IR-UWB communications, too.