Performance Analysis for Direct-Sequence Ultra-Wideband Communications Incorporating Channel-Induced Pulse Overlap

We provide performance analysis for DS-UWB systems operating in multipath environments, including the effect of overlap between received pulses. Pulse overlap occurs when the pulse width is larger than the fine delay resolution of the channel. A closed-form bit error rate expression is derived and compared with simulations that employ FCC-compliant UWB pulses and the IEEE 802.15.3a channel model. Our results reveal that channel-induced pulse overlap may have a significant impact on DS-UWB system performance.