Insights
Next-Generation Security: How UWB is Changing Access Control
April 05, 2024
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology is increasingly being adopted across various industries, demonstrating its growing relevance and applications. At CES24, Samsung Electronics was awarded for its innovative UWB-based solutions, which deliver high accuracy in distance and location measurement for mobile, automotive, and IoT devices, underscoring UWB's rising importance. Its adoption spans diverse applications, such as Tesla and Hyundai’s smart keys, Apple's AirTags, and even potential tagless services in payment in transportation card systems.
The rise in UWB’s popularity is primarily due to its integration into smartphones and home appliances. Leading global companies like Samsung and Apple are embedding UWB in their new products. The UWB market is expected to expand from $147.896 billion in 2022 to $632.589 billion by 2030, with an estimated CAGR of 19.92% from 2023 to 2030, according to Zion Market Research.
Learn More about UWB
Part 1: Ultra-wideband and the future of access securityUWB Mobile Access Solution l Suprema
In physical access control, UWB technology is emerging as a promising new method for authentication, offering more efficiency than traditional systems. UWB technology is revolutionizing physical security by enabling seamless walk-through access authentication. It enables seamless entry for authorized individuals without any physical interaction by granting access based on proximity and intent.
UWB technology allows for extremely accurate and fast location tracking within a 5-10 cm range of error, which outperforms capabilities of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (BLE). With smartphones embedded with UWB, walk-through authentication becomes accessible to a broader user base. However, the application of this sophisticated UWB technology presents challenges, prompting ongoing research to address these issues.
Learn More about UWB
Part 2: Walk-through access authentication will be realized soon
First is the need for precise location measurements from a single device, moving beyond traditional methods that UWB require triangulation with multiple anchors. So, the advanced Time of Flight (ToF) and array antenna technologies were developed to address this issue.
The second challenge involves managing multiple UWB connections simultaneously in crowded areas like large building lobbies. To overcome the limitations of BLE pairing with UWB, the innovative solution is being developed using RSSI-based filtering and time-division techniques to increase the number of possible connections.
The adoption of UWB technology in physical security marks a significant advancement, enhancing not just access control but also expanding the range of security applications. This includes monitoring the location of visitors, managing crowds at large events, and tracking individuals and assets in settings like banks. When integrated with surveillance cameras and intrusion detection sensors, UWB can further improve situational awareness and proactive threat detection, leading to a more comprehensive and integrated security system.
Explore our Products
