ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)

TECHNICAL REPORT
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS);
Feasibility study on the use of UWB;
Release 2
2 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)

Reference
DTR/ITS-0084
Keywords
ITS, UWB
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ETSI
3 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 5
Foreword . 5
Modal verbs terminology . 5
Introduction . 5
1 Scope . 7
2 References . 7
2.1 Normative references . 7
2.2 Informative references . 7
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations . 11
3.1 Terms . 11
3.2 Symbols . 11
3.3 Abbreviations . 11
4 Ultra-Wide band technologies . 12
4.1 Overview . 12
4.2 Basic characteristics . 12
4.3 UWB regulation overview . 13
4.3.1 Regulatory framework . 13
4.3.2 Operating frequencies . 13
4.3.2.1 IEEE channels . 13
4.3.2.2 Frequency bands available in Europe . 13
4.3.2.3 Other services operating on similar frequency ranges. 14
4.3.2.4 Possible frequencies for "UWB ITS" . 14
4.3.3 Transmit requirements . 15
4.4 Standards . 15
4.4.1 IEEE 802.15 standards . 15
4.4.2 Industry consortia . 15
4.4.3 ETSI standards . 16
4.5 UWB packet structure . 17
4.6 Technical capabilities . 19
4.6.1 Data communication . 19
4.6.2 Sensing . 20
4.6.3 Positioning and localisation . 20
4.6.4 Possible usage for ITS applications . 21
4.7 Market overview and growth. 21
4.7.1 Overview . 21
4.7.2 Smartphones and accessories use cases and deployments . 22
4.8 Automotive use cases and deployments . 23
4.8.1 Keyless entry systems . 23
4.8.2 In-cabin sensing and occupant presence detection . 23
4.9 Summary . 24
5 UWB in support of ITS use cases . 24
5.1 Introduction . 24
5.2 Vulnerable Road User protection . 26
5.3 VRU protection via UWB-connected infra . 27
5.4 Positioning and control for autonomous parking and highly accurate vehicle positioning . 28
5.5 Secure payment and tolling applications . 29
5.6 Summary . 30
6 UWB in ITS Architectural considerations . 31
6.1 Overview . 31
6.2 Existing message containers . 32
6.2.1 CAM . 32
6.2.1.1 Scope . 32
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4 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
6.2.1.2 Container structure and size . 32
6.2.1.3 Triggering mechanism . 33
6.2.2 VAM . 33
6.2.2.1 Scope . 33
6.2.2.2 Container structure and size . 34
6.3 UWB as Access layer in ITS . 36
6.3.1 Maximum transmit power within 1 ms and duty cycle . 36
6.3.2 UWB ITS packets configuration profiles . 36
6.4 Resource management considerations . 36
7 Conclusion and outlook . 36
Annex A (informative): Bibliography . 37
Annex B: Change history . 38
History . 39

ETSI
5 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
Intellectual Property Rights
Essential patents
IPRs essential or potentially essential to normative deliverables may have been declared to ETSI. The declarations
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, are publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be
found in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to
ETSI in respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the
ETSI IPR online database.
Pursuant to the ETSI Directives including the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation regarding the essentiality of IPRs,
including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not
referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web server) which are, or may be, or may become,
essential to the present document.
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Foreword
This Technical Report (TR) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).
Modal verbs terminology
In the present document "should", "should not", "may", "need not", "will", "will not", "can" and "cannot" are to be
interpreted as described in clause 3.2 of the ETSI Drafting Rules (Verbal forms for the expression of provisions).
"must" and "must not" are NOT allowed in ETSI deliverables except when used in direct citation.
Introduction
Based on the new spectrum regulation framework (ECC Decision (06)04 [i.1]) in Europe the use of UWB technologies
in the band 6 GHz to 8,5 GHz ITS has been simplified and the potential applications have been extended. Further
extensions of the available spectrum are under investigation in CEPT [i.4]. Material sensing application using UWB
which are deployable in vehicular environments are permitted under the ECC Decision (07)01 [i.2].
ECC Decision (06)04 [i.1] may be reviewed (as per its considering mm)) based on the outcome of the World Radio
Conferences and/or on the actual UWB deployment, in particular if the deployment of UWB technology can present a
significant risk of interference to radio services deployed in the band 6 GHz to 8,5 GHz. It is important to ensure that
future ITS applications based on the present document match the assumptions used in ECC Report 327 [i.5] used to
develop such ECC decision (e.g. densities of UWB devices, activity factors, etc.) and avoid risk of interference to other
services.
The present document analyses the required extension of the ETSI ITS protocol and architecture for inclusion of UWB
technologies into the overall C-ITS system.
ETSI
6 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
For these analyses the present document uses example use cases such as:
• VRU detection and clustering
• Tolling based on secure ranging
• Precise cooperative positioning
• Highly automated parking applications
In the present document, some of the use cases are descripted and a potential way to integrate UWB technology in
support of these uses cases into the ITS standards framework is considered.

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7 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
1 Scope
The present document studies the feasibility of using Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology in ITS.
2 References
2.1 Normative references
Normative references are not applicable in the present document.
2.2 Informative references
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication, ETSI cannot guarantee
their long-term validity.
The following referenced documents may be useful in implementing an ETSI deliverable or add to the reader's
understanding, but are not required for conformance to the present document.
[i.1] CEPT ECC/DEC/(06)04: "The harmonised use, exemption from individual licensing and free
circulation of devices using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology in bands below 10.6 GHz",
24 March 2006 amended 18 November 2022.
[i.2] ECC/DEC/(07)01: "The harmonised use, exemption from individual licensing and free circulation
of Material Sensing Devices using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology", 30 March 2007.
[i.3] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/1467 of 27 May 2024 amending Implementing
Decision (EU) 2019/785 on the harmonisation of radio spectrum for equipment using
ultra-wideband technology in the Union.
[i.4] ETSI TR 103 750 (V1.1.1): "System Reference document (SRdoc); Short Range Devices (SRD)
using Ultra Wide Band (UWB); Technical characteristics for UWB operation in the frequency
band between 8,5 GHz to 10,6 GHz".
[i.5] ECC Report 327: "Technical studies for the update of the Ultra Wide Band (UWB) regulatory
framework in the band 6.0 GHz to 8.5 GHz", 1 October 2021.
[i.6] IEEE Std 802.15.4a™-2015:"IEEE Standard for Low-Rate Wireless".
[i.7] IEEE Std 802.15.4z™-2020: "IEEE Standard for Low-Rate Wireless Networks--Amendment 1:
Enhanced Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Physical Layers (PHYs) and Associated Ranging Techniques".
[i.8] ETSI TR 103 579 (V1.1.1): Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); Pre-Standardization Study on
payment applications in Cooperative ITS using V2I communication.
[i.9] ERC Report 25: "The European table of frequency allocations and applications in the frequency
range 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz (ECA table)".
[i.10] ECC CEPT SE24_79: "UWB extension".
[i.11] European Commission: "Road safety statistics 2022 in more detail".
[i.12] Bettina Erdem, regulatory affairs V2X: "Importance of Collective Perception, V2X spectrum
needs, expectation on Euro NCAP". ®
[i.13] Microwaves&RF : "Revolutionizing Vehicle Safety: The Role of UWB in Modern Automobiles",
Qorvo, 2024.
ETSI
8 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
[i.14] ETSI TS 103 300-2 (V2.2.1): "Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); Vulnerable Road Users (VRU)
awareness; Part 2: Functional Architecture and Requirements definition; Release 2".
[i.15] ETSI EN 302 065-1 (V2.1.1): "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive
2014/53/EU; Part 1: Requirements for Generic UWB applications".
[i.16] ETSI EN 302 065-2 (V2.1.1): "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive
2014/53/EU; Part 2: Requirements for UWB location tracking".
[i.17] ETSI EN 302 065-3 (V2.1.1): "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive
2014/53/EU; Part 3: Requirements for UWB devices for ground based vehicular applications".
[i.18] ETSI EN 302 065-4 (V1.1.1): "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of the Directive
2014/53/EU; Part 4: Material Sensing devices using UWB technology below 10,6 GHz".
[i.19] ETSI EN 302 065-4-4 (V1.1.1): "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 4: Material Sensing devices;
Sub-part 4: Exterior material sensing applications for ground based vehicles".
[i.20] ETSI EN 302 065-4-1 (V2.2.1):"Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 4: Material Sensing devices;
Sub-part 1: Building material analysis operating within 30 MHz to 10,6 GHz".
[i.21] ETSI EN 302 065-5 (V1.1.1): "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised Standard covering the essential requirements of article 3.2 of Directive
2014/53/EU; Part 5: Devices using UWB technology onboard aircraft".
[i.22] ETSI EN 302 065-3-1 (V3.2.1): "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 3: UWB devices installed in
motor and railway vehicles; Sub-part 1: Requirements for UWB devices for vehicular access
systems within 3,8 GHz to 4,2 GHz or 6 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
[i.23] ETSI EN 303 883-1 (V2.1.1): "Short Range Devices (SRD) and Ultra Wide Band (UWB);
Part 1: Measurement techniques for transmitter requirements".
[i.24] ETSI EN 303 883-2 (V2.1.1): "Short Range Devices (SRD) and Ultra Wide Band (UWB);
Part 2: Measurement techniques for receiver requirements".
[i.25] Pirch H.-J., Leong F.: "Introduction to Impulse Radio UWB Seamless Access Systems".
[i.26] Inpixon: "Ultra-Wideband RTLS, Positioning, & Sensor Technology".
[i.27] Leoni Elia, et al.: "Validating Vehicular Localization Indoor using UWB: Challenges and
th
Solutions". 2023 9 International Workshop on Advances in Sensors and Interfaces (IWASI).
IEEE™, 2023, pp. 27-32.
[i.28] San Martín J., et al.: "Precise positioning of autonomous vehicles combining UWB ranging
estimations with on-board sensors". Electronics, 2020, 9(8), 1238.
[i.29] u-blox: "Exploring hybrid positioning solutions to enable future autonomous vehicles".
[i.30] Piavanini Marco, et al.: "Experimental Validation of Vehicle Positioning with Ultra-Wide Band
Roadside Infrastructure." 2023 IEEE™ International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 &
IoT (MetroInd4. 0&IoT). IEEE™, 2023, pp. 171-176.
[i.31] FiRa Consortium: "The Present and Future of UWB".
[i.32] European commission: "General Safety Regulation protecting vehicle occupants and vulnerable
road users".
[i.33] ETSI TS 103 900 (V2.1.1): "Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); Vehicular Communications;
Basic Set of Applications; Cooperative Awareness Service; Release 2".
ETSI
9 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
[i.34] ETSI TR 103 300-1 (V2.3.1): "Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); Vulnerable Road Users (VRU)
awareness; Part 1: Use Cases definition; Release 2".
[i.35] ETSI TS 103 300-2 (V2.3.1): "Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); Vulnerable Road Users (VRU)
awareness; Part 2: Functional Architecture and Requirements definition; Release 2".
[i.36] ETSI TS 103 300-3 (V2.2.1): "Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); Vulnerable Road Users (VRU)
awareness; Part 3: Specification of VRU awareness basic service; Release 2".
[i.37] Genovese A.: "Awareness Messages for Vulnerable Road Users", Politecnico di Torino, December
2023.
[i.38] Xhoxhi E., Schiegg F.A.: "A First Study on the Spectrum Needs for Release 2 V2X Services",
IEEE™ VTC-23 Fall.
[i.39] CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium: "Survey on ITS-G5 CAM statistics CAR 2 CAR
Communication Consortium".
[i.40] Renzel T., Stolz M., Watzenig D.: "Looking into the Path Future: Extending CAMs for
nd
Cooperative Event Handling", IEEE 92 Vehiculare Technology Conference, 11/2020.
[i.41] Yonhap News: "'Next-Generation Intelligent Transportation System' Introduced in Sejong City to
Ensure Safety on School Commutes".
[i.42] ETSI TR 103 667 (V1.1.1): "Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); Study on Spectrum Sharing
between ITS-G5 and LTE-V2X technologies in the 5 855 MHz-5 925 MHz band".
[i.43] Lisa Ward, Jörg Köpp: "Exploring the Future of UWB Comprehensive insights into
IEEE 802.15.4ab", R&S White Paper, 2025.
[i.44] IEEE P802.15.4ab™/D03: "IEEE Draft Standard for Low-Rate Wireless Network Amendment 1:
Enhanced Ultra Wide-Band (UWB) Physical Layers (PHYs) and Associated Medium Access and
Control (MAC) sublayer Enhancements", September 2025.
[i.45] ETSI TR 103 902 (V2.1.1): "Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); ITS Framework; Terms,
Symbols and Abbreviations; Release 2".
[i.46] draft ETSI EN 302 065-1-1: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 1: Generic UWB devices;
Sub-part 1: Communication devices within 3,1 GHz to 4,8 GHz using LDC mitigation or within
the 6 to 8,5 GHz".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.47] draft ETSI EN 302 065-2-1: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 2: Ultra Wide Band location
tracking devices; Sub-part 1: Requirements for devices within 6 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.48] draft ETSI EN 302 065-2-2: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 2: Ultra Wide Band location
tracking devices; Sub-part 2: Requirements for devices in the frequency band between 3,1 GHz to
4,8 GHz utilizing LDC mitigation technique".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.49] draft ETSI EN 302 065-2-3: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 2: Ultra Wide Band location
tracking devices; Sub-part 3: Requirements for fixed infrastructure UWB based localization
systems in the frequency band between 3,1 GHz to 4,8 GHz deploying Detect-And-Avoid (DAA)
mitigation technique".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
ETSI
10 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
[i.50] draft ETSI EN 302 065-2-4: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 2: Ultra Wide Band location
tracking devices; Sub-part 4: Requirements for fixed outdoor devices within 6,0 GHz to 8,5GHz".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.51] ETSI EN 302 065-2-5: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology (UWB);
Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 2: Ultra Wide Band location tracking
devices; Sub-part 5: Requirements for enhanced indoor devices within 6,0 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
[i.52] draft ETSI EN 302 065-3-2: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 3: UWB devices installed in
motor and railway vehicles; Sub-part 2: Requirements for location tracking devices installed in rail
and road vehicles operating in the frequency range of 3,1 GHz to 4,8 GHz or 6,0 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.53] ETSI EN 302 065-3-3: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology (UWB);
Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 3: UWB devices installed in motor and
railway vehicles; Sub-part 3: Requirements for UWB radiodetermination applications operating
within 6,0 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
[i.54] draft ETSI EN 302 065-6-1: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised Standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 6: Ultra Wide Band
radio-determination for radar sensing devices; Sub-part 1: Requirements for presence detection
applications within 6,0 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.55] draft ETSI EN 302 065-6-2: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 6:Ultra Wide Band
radio-determination for radar sensing devices; Sub-part 2: Requirements for generic UWB
through-air non-contact vital signs applications within 6,0 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.56] draft ETSI EN 302 065-6-3: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 6: Ultra Wide Band radio-
determination for radar sensing devices; Sub-Part 3: Requirements for fixed outdoor presence
detection devices within 6,0 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.57] draft ETSI EN 302 065-6-4: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 6: Ultra Wide Band radio-
determination for radar sensing devices; Sub-Part 4: Requirements for fixed outdoor through-air
non-contact vital signs applications within 6,0 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.58] draft ETSI EN 302 065-6-5: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 6: Ultra Wide Band radio-
determination for radar sensing devices; Sub-Part 5: Requirements for enhanced indoor presence
detection devices within 6,0 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.59] draft ETSI EN 302 065-6-6: "Short Range Devices (SRD) using Ultra Wide Band technology
(UWB); Harmonised standard for access to radio spectrum; Part 6: Ultra Wide Band radio-
determination for radar sensing devices; Sub-Part 6: Requirements for enhanced indoor through-air
non-contact vital signs applications within 6,0 GHz to 8,5 GHz".
NOTE: Under development at the time of publication of the present document.
[i.60] FiRa Consortium: "Annual Report 2025".
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11 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
[i.61] Car Connectivity Consortium: "Digital Key V3.1.4 & V4.1.0".
[i.62] IEEE Std 802.11™-2024: "IEEE Standard for Information Technology--Telecommunications and
Information Exchange between Systems Local and Metropolitan Area Networks--Specific
Requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)
Specifications".
3 Definition of terms, symbols and abbreviations
3.1 Terms
For the purposes of the present document, the terms given in ETSI TR 103 902 [i.45] apply.
3.2 Symbols
Void.
3.3 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
AoA Angle of Arrival
BPM Burst Position Modulation
BPSK Binary Phase-Shift Keying
CPD Child Presence Detection
DS-TWR Double-Sided Two-Way Ranging
ETC Electronic Toll Collection
FEC Forward Error Correction
HRP High-Rate Pulse
ICRW Intersection Collision Risk Warning
LRP Low-Rate Pulse
PDoA Phase Difference of Arrival
PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency
RHS Road Hazard Signalling
RTLS Real-Time Location Systems
SFD Start-of-Frame Delimiter
SHR Synchronization Header
STS Scrambled Timestamp Sequence
TDoA Time Difference of Arrival
ToF Time of Flight
TWR Two-Way Ranging
UWB Ultra-Wide Band
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12 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
4 Ultra-Wide band technologies
4.1 Overview
With the arrival of UWB in mainstream consumer products, standardized solutions for UWB products are becoming
more important and prevalent. While the previous IEEE 802.15.4 [i.6] standard was only used by a number of
manufacturers, its successor IEEE 802.15.4z [i.7] has been adopted by car manufacturers and mobile phone makers.
Two industry consortia, Car Connectivity Consortium and FiRa Consortium, are building standardized solutions on top
of this latest IEEE standard. This interest has led to a major increase of chip manufacturers providing standard
compliant silicon. The availability of cheaper chipsets for consumer applications means that also other applications
areas such as industrial location tracking are switching to standard compliant transmissions. Several applications of
UWB in the automotive domain are under deployment and additional applications will follow soon.
By integrating these applications and used devices into the intelligent transport systems architecture can lead to
significant synergies, providing complementary applications to the 5,9 GHz band ITS.
In this clause, a short introduction to the basic characteristics and standard of Ultra-Wide band technologies will be
given.
4.2 Basic characteristics
In Europe, depending on the application, ultra-wide band devices are allowed to operate anywhere between 3,1 GHz
to 4,8 GHz and 6,0 GHz to 9,0 GHz. Some UWB material sensing application can also operate in lower frequency
ranges down to 30 MHz with very low emission levels of down to -85 dBm/MHz e.i.r.p. To qualify as ultra-wide band,
the 10 dB bandwidth of the emissions needs to be higher than 50 MHz. In practice, to fit worldwide regulations and to
fully exploit the advantages of ultra-wide band signals, most signals have a bandwidth of at least 500 MHz to maximise
worldwide compliance, devices tend to operate in the spectrum between 6,0 and 8,5 GHz.
In CEPT work to extend the usable spectrum for UWB applications up to 10,6 GHz is ongoing with the goal to have an
updated regulation including automotive applications until the beginning of 2027.
Given that these devices operate in spectrum assigned and licensed to many other applications, UWB operates on a
non-protected, non-interfering basis. To prevent interference to other applications, the UWB transmit power is limited
to a very low mean power spectral density of -41,3 dBm/MHz, equivalent to the limit for unintentional radiation of
500 microvolts/meter measured at 3 m that these applications would have to deal with anyway. To prevent very short,
high powered energy pulses from causing interference, an additional 0 dBm peak power limit in 50 MHz was added.
Recent European regulations allow 'enhanced indoor power' levels of -31,3 dBm/MHz mean EIRP, 10 dBm in 50 MHz
peak EIRP for some UWB applications operating between 6,0 and 8,5 GHz. The details of how to determine the indoor
conditions in line with the regulation for a specific ITS application is out of the scope of the present document.
The wide bandwidth available under the UWB regulations allows for very steep rising and falling edges in the time
domain, typically combined to form very short RF pulses with durations in the order of 1 or 2 nanoseconds. In the
frequency domain, multipath fades are averaged, so the received signal power tends to be very constant.
Many applications use these short pulses to obtain high resolution estimates of the channel impulse response. Sensing
applications evaluate characteristics and changes in the channel impulse response to extract features of the environment
in which the device is operating. Ranging applications aim to identify the time of arrival of the first path in the channel
impulse response as a measure of the distance between two devices. In practice, they are able to do so with centimetre
level precision. Location tracking systems built on this ranging capability to position devices in a network.
Communication applications benefit from the lack of multipath fading and exploit the fact that the multipath
components can be resolved to ensure robust communication in highly reflective environments. The short symbol
duration made possible by the high bandwidth also means that packets can be very short, resulting in low latency.
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13 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
4.3 UWB regulation overview
4.3.1 Regulatory framework
The UWB regulatory framework in Europe can be mainly split into two categories:
• UWB Sensor application in ECC Decision (07)01 [i.2], covering the harmonised use, exemption from
individual licensing and free circulation of Material Sensing Devices using Ultra-Wide Band (UWB)
technology.
• General UWB in ECC Decision (06)04 [i.1], covering the harmonised use, exemption from individual
licensing and free circulation of devices using Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology in bands below 10,6 GHz
including location tracking, communication and radio determination (radar like applications).
On EU level these applications are harmonized in an Decision (EU) 2024/1467 [i.3]. UWB applications are always
operating under a non-interference and non-protected rules thus the applications have to accept interference from other
services and applications and are not allowed to create harmful interreference into services and applications in the
operational band and in any adjacent bands.
4.3.2 Operating frequencies
4.3.2.1 IEEE channels
IEEE defines UWB channels as discrete frequency ranges of 499,2 MHz, 1 331,2 MHz or 1 354,97 MHz. Industry has
mostly been focusing on 499,2 MHz channels. Table 1 provides description of these channels in the range 3 GHz to
10,6 GHz, reporting the regions where each channel can be used.
Table 1: IEEE UWB channels
UWB Channel bandwidth Center Frequency Frequency range Regions
channel (MHz) (MHz) (MHz)
1 499,2 3 494,4 3 244,8 to 3 744,0 USA, Europe
2 499,2 3 993,6 3 744,0 to 4 243,2 USA, Europe, Japan, Korea
3 499,2 4 492,8 4 243,2 to 4 742,4 USA, Europe, Japan, Korea
4 1 331,2 3 993,6 3 328,0 to 4 659,2 USA, Europe
5 499,2 6 489,6 6 240,0 to 6 739,2 USA, Europe, China
6 499,2 6 988,8 6 739,2 to 7 238,4 USA, Europe, China
7 1 081,6 6 489,6 5 948,8 to 7 030,4 USA
8 499,2 7 488,0 7 238,4 to 7 737,6 USA, Europe, Korea, China
9 499,2 7 987,2 7 737,6 to 8 236,8 USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, China
10 499,2 8 486,4 8 236,8 to 8 736,0 USA, Europe, Japan, Korea, China
11 1 331,2 7 987,2 7 321,6 to 8 652,8 USA, Japan, Korea
12 499,2 8 985,6 8 736,0 to 9 235,2 USA, Japan, Korea
13 499,2 9 484,8 9 235,2 to 9 734,4 USA, Japan, Korea
14 499,2 9 984,0 9 734,4 to 10 233,6 USA, Japan, Korea
15 1 354,97 9 484,8 8 807,3 to 10 162,3 USA, Japan, Korea

4.3.2.2 Frequency bands available in Europe
ECC Decision (06)04 [i.1] covers frequencies up to 10,6 GHz and provides maximum mean and peak e.i.r.p. limits for
different device types (e.g. general case, vehicular applications, etc.).
ECC Decision (06)04 [i.1] regulates under its section A1.2 the use of UWB in a number of bands up to 10,6 GHz for
vehicular applications, including UWB devices installed in road and rail vehicle.
The frequency range 6 GHz to 8,5 GHz is considered by ITS industry as the frequency band for UWB applications in
Europe, without the need to implement active mitigation techniques like "detect and avoid" or "listen-before-talk" to
protect other services. However, this does not relief the ITS UWB applications operating in Europe from the obligation
not to cause interference to other radio services.
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ECC Decision (06)04 [i.1] may be reviewed (see considering mm in [i.1]) based on the outcome of the World Radio
Conferences and/or on the actual UWB deployment, in particular if the deployment of UWB technology can present a
significant risk of interference to radio services deployed in the band 6 GHz to 8,5 GHz.
It is important to ensure that future ITS applications based on the present document match the assumptions used in ECC
Report 327 [i.5] used to develop such ECC decision (e.g. densities of UWB devices, activity factors, etc.) and avoid risk
of interference to other services.
In contrast, frequencies above 8,5 GHz yield very low maximum e.i.r.p. limits (e.g. ≤ -65 dBm/MHz), do require
mitigation techniques and can thus be considered as not suited. In the band 3,1 GHz to 4,8 GHz UWB is allowed
with -41,3 dBm/MHz but requires either DAA or a stringent version of LDC. Furthermore, not all applications are
allowed in this band.
An extension of the usable band up to 10,6 GHz is under investigation within ECC CEPT SE24 under Work
item 79 [i.10].
4.3.2.3 Other services operating on similar frequency ranges
The set of frequency allocations and applications for Europe is provided by the ECA table [i.9]. Applications include
for example "UWB applications" (to which UWB ITS belongs), or "Fixed", "RLAN", "PMSE", "Passive sensors
(satellite)". Figure 1 provides a simplified view of the spectrum in Europe.

Figure 1: Simplified view of the spectrum in Europe
While ECC Report 327 [i.5] studied coexistence between UWB devices in the 6 GHz to 8,5 GHz band and a number of
incumbents, it did not study coexistence with IMT operation which was identified in the 6 425 MHz to 7 125 MHz band
during WRC23 under primary mobile allocation. Studies are of importance considering that the ECC
Decision (06)04 [i.1] may be reviewed (as per its considering mm) based on the outcome of the World Radio
Conferences and/or on the actual UWB deployment, in particular if the deployment of UWB technology can present a
significant risk of interference to radio services deployed in the band 6 GHz to 8,5 GHz.
In addition to the already operational services and applications in the relevant band new allocations and investigations
planned for WRC-27 and beyond based on the WRC-23 outcome should be considered. Here the studies for IMT in
7,125 GHz to 7,250 GHz and 7,750 GHz to 8,4 GHz are of importance. These band are also depicted in the Figure 1.
4.3.2.4 Possible frequencies for "UWB ITS"
ITS applications by essence require a coordinated utilisation of the spectrum, so that the different ITS-stations can
transmit and receive ITS messages on a common frequency range. Stemming from the regulatory landscape and from
the use of the spectrum by other applications, it appears that there is spectrum available for UWB ITS, and that several
deployment options exist. Lower UWB channels 5 and 6 do not seem appropriate to host ITS applications due to ®
deployment of Wi-Fi and IMT applications. In the scope of the band extension work up to 10,6 GHz in CEPT
additional channel and band will potentially be available in the future.
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15 ETSI TR 103 970 V2.1.1 (2026-05)
ΝΟΤΕ: It is
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