FPGA-based UWB Pulse Generator for IR-UWB Chipless RFID Reader

Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology has gained traction for applications demanding high bandwidth, precise target localisation, and low power consumption. This paper presents an FPGA-based UWB pulse generator tailored for an Impulse-radio (IR) UWB chipless RFID reader. Using a low-cost FPGA platform, the design generates a square wave signal with a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of 1-50 MHz. This base signal undergoes pulse sharpening to produce picosecond-scale pulses, achieving the bandwidth exceeding 500 MHz necessary for UWB communication. Such a high-bandwidth signal ensures better range resolution, meeting the requirements of applications of UWB chipless RFID readers. By implementing pulse generation and PRF control on an FPGA, our system combines low cost, flexibility, and scalability, making it suitable for diverse UWB applications.