What is UWB FiRa 2.0?

UWB FiRa 2.0 is the latest technical specification published by the FiRa (Fine Ranging) Consortium to define hardware, RF communications, ranging protocols, and behavior of ranging devices for ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The UWB Fira 2.0 standard was published in November 2023. The FiRa Consortium is an industry group dedicated to promoting the adoption of UWB Technology for secure and accurate location services and FiRa 2.0 is built upon the foundation laid by them in 2020. These updated specifications represent a step toward achieving an interoperable UWB ecosystem across chipsets, devices, and services infrastructures. 

The FiRa 2.0 Technical Specifications guide developers on the enablement of UWB technology in products used for a variety of use cases. Specifically, these specifications focus on three new use cases:  

• Untracked Indoor Navigation – Allows users of UWB-enabled smartphones or tablets to find their way in malls, airports, museums, or any other indoor location with centimeter-level accuracy in real-time while maintaining location privacy.  

• Find Someone/Something – Helps users of UWB-enabled devices to easily find acquaintances in crowded areas, or to quickly be located by ride-share drivers. Also, finding missing keys or luggage is now part of the new possibilities formally addressed by the FiRa 2.0 Technical Specifications. This technology can also be used for asset tracking in warehouses and factories, improving efficiency and reducing loss. 

• Point and Trigger – It lets users seamlessly control UWB-enabled connected home devices like televisions, lights, or thermostats by simply pointing at them with their personal UWB-enabled devices, such as smartphones or smartwatches. 

FiRa 2.0 also ensures that UWB devices from different manufacturers can communicate effectively, creating a more robust and interoperable ecosystem. This technology can seamlessly integrate into a wide range of hardware and software ecosystems like smartphones, IoT devices, or industrial machinery. FiRa 2.0 also includes specifications for low power consumption and high data transfer rates making it a good choice for battery-operated devices. 

Whether it's smartphones, IoT devices, or industrial machinery, this technology should seamlessly integrate into a wide range of hardware and software ecosystems. Moreover, its low power consumption and high data transfer rates make it an ideal choice for battery-operated devices, prolonging operational lifespans and optimizing energy efficiency. 

The release of FiRa 2.0 marks a significant step forward for UWB technology. These improved capabilities of FiRa 2.0 make UWB suitable for various industries beyond consumer electronics.

Click here to visit the FiRa Consortium.