UWB Positioning Application Solution for VR/AR Game

In recent years, VR/AR has been widely used in many fields. VR is virtual reality technology, which uses technological means to simulate a virtual scene similar to reality so that people can get an immersive experience in many aspects such as vision and hearing. AR stands for augmented reality technology, which uses technological means to combine virtual scenes with real situations to effectively enhance people's perception capabilities.

With the further development of VR/AR technology, the application in-game production, business services, and other fields have become more and more in-depth, bringing people a very real sense of presence. To achieve better interactive effects, the high-precision positioning system has become one of the key factors.

SKYLAB（天工测控） has developed and launched the UWB high-precision navigation and positioning system. It only needs to set up 4 base stations and wear relevant rated position tags to achieve high-precision positioning for indoor games. Pain points such as expensive price.

VR/AR Game UWB Positioning Principle

VR/AR game UWB high-precision positioning system, by installing a base station at a fixed reference point in the game area, installing a positioning tag on the tracked object, or wearing a positioning tag on the tracked character, so as to realize the positioning of each positioning tag. , and then use the built-in IMU and vision of the helmet device to fuse the positioning information to obtain a smoother and more accurate positioning effect.

VR/AR Game UWB Positioning System Architecture

The UWB personnel positioning system management system in VR/AR games consists of a display terminal, UWB positioning engine, UWB positioning label, and UWB positioning base station.

(1) Display terminal: The coordinates of the positioning tag calculated by the UWB positioning engine should be displayed on the display terminal (PC, tablet computer, mobile phone).

(2) UWB positioning engine: The UWB positioning base station in the game positioning area sends the original position data to the UWB positioning engine through the network in real-time, and then the UWB positioning engine runs the positioning algorithm to calculate the coordinate position of the person wearing the UWB positioning tag in real-time.

(3) UWB positioning tag: equip the personnel and equipment to be located with UWB positioning tags, the positioning tags transmit UWB signals, and communicate with the UWB positioning base station, so that the tags themselves can be located. The UWB positioning tag can be a wristband type, a badge type, or a module type fixed on a helmet.

(4) UWB positioning base station: The UWB positioning base station communicates with the positioning tag through the UWB signal, and then calculates through the background server-side positioning engine to realize the precise positioning function of the UWB positioning tag.

UWB Positioning Management System Interface

According to the design of the UWB positioning system architecture, the connection, data interaction, business processing, etc. between the various functional subsystems are implemented and managed by the interface subsystem. The main interfaces are as follows, as shown in the figure below:

(1) API interface of positioning engine data

(2) Docking interface with sound and light alarm

(3) Docking interface with monitoring display

(4) Docking interface with alarm subsystem

(5) Interface with surveillance video

Introduction of UWB Positioning Products

a) UWB Achor VDU2503

Support protocol: compatible with IEEE802.15.4-2011 UWB protocol

Frequency:default 3774~4243.2MHz, Support channel ch1-5

Typical transmit power:-6dBm/500MHz (CH2)

Receive sensitivity:-105dBm(packet loss rate 10%，CH2)

Data transmission rate:Default 6.8Mbps Support 110Kbps,850kbps

Positioning accuracy:<30cm

Data upload method: 100Mbps Ethernet 

Base station clock synchronization method: UWB wireless synchronization

DC power supply: input voltage 5.0V (4.5~ 5.5V), input power greater than 1W

POE power supply:standard: Cat.5 and above (POE output power is greater than 1W)

b) UWB Positioning Cards VDU1501

Master Control Chip: Nordic nRF 52832

Positioning Chip: Decawave DW1000 chips

Location Algorithm: TDOA

Positioning Accuracy: 10cm

Button: Configure the SOS button, Emergency problems can be avoided by the alarm for help

Use Time of Charging Once: 2 months(1Hz positioning)   The Default Frequency Range is 3774-4243.2MHz.

Support Channel: modifiable, support channel ch1-5

Protocol Standard: EEE 802.15.4- 2011UWB

Movement Refresh Frequency: 10Hz(Default, modifiable)

Static Refresh Frequency: 1Hz(Default, modifiable)

c) UWB Positioning Watch VDU1502

Main control chip: Nordic nRF52832

Positioning chip: Decawave DW1000

Supported channels can be modified to support channels ch1-5 Positioning accuracy: up to 10cm

Use time for one charge: about 2 months (1Hz positioning)  Movement refresh frequency 10Hz (default, can be modified)

Static refresh frequency 1Hz (default, can be modified)

Protection: Waterproof design

Positioning mode: positioning and smart power-saving mode

Health function: real-time monitoring of the wearer's heart rate, steps, display time

Press the button: configure the SOS button, you can call for help and alarm in an emergency

Category: tamper-proof type without a screen, tamper-proof type with screen, non-tamper-proof type with screen, and non-tamper-proof type without screen

d) UWB Tag VDU1506

RF: Decawave DW1000

Master: Nordic nRF52832

Positioning/Ranging Accuracy: CEP90, 30cm

Positioning algorithm: support TDOA positioning and TWR ranging

Use time: one full charge, TDOA positioning is 3.8 months  (default1Hz); TWR ranging 28.3 days (default 1Hz)

Charging method: charging head magnetic charging

Positioning distance: TWR ranging: 1000 meters

Protection grade: IP66 waterproof and dustproof 

Alarm: integrated SOS button, emergency use

Installation: two ways (1) fixed with holes and screws (2) 3M glue

Function: personnel positioning, social distance detection

occasion: construction site, coal mine, tunnel, pipe gallery, mine