Noccela: Delivering Centimeter-Level Accuracy In Wide-Open Outdoor Stadium
Qorvo's Ultra-Wideband technology is widely known for transforming manufacturing through precise real-time location data, but its impact reaches far beyond factory walls. During the COVID-19 pandemic, UWB found an unexpected and critical role in professional sports when micro-location provider Noccela applied the technology to the European League of Football. By delivering centimeter-level accuracy in wide-open outdoor stadiums, UWB enabled both player safety and performance analytics, proving that precision location technology can adapt to even the most demanding and unpredictable environments.
“With UWB we were able to track players accurately in a completely open field and turn location data into actionable insight.” — Noccela Engineering Team
The Challenge: Delivering Accurate Player Tracking in Open Stadiums During a Pandemic
Football demands precision, but traditional tracking technologies struggled to meet the moment. GPS-based systems were expensive and lacked the accuracy needed for detailed player analytics, while other options forced compromises between cost performance and scalability. The challenge intensified during the pandemic when teams needed precise contact tracking to avoid shutting down entire seasons due to a single COVID-19 case. Adding to the complexity, football fields have no roof, making standard overhead beacon systems impractical. Noccela needed a solution that could deliver micro-location accuracy across more than 7,000 square meters of open space while supporting real-time safety monitoring and high-speed player movement.
The Solution: Cloud-Based UWB Micro-Location Powered by Noccela and Qorvo
Noccela solved the problem with its High Performance Ranging (HPR) algorithm, combining Time Difference of Arrival and Two Way Ranging to deliver accurate outdoor positioning without changing infrastructure. Using strategically placed UWB anchors around the field perimeter, the system achieved two-centimeter accuracy while tracking players moving at speeds up to 60 km/h. A cloud-supported positioning engine processed real-time and historical data, enabling immediate contact tracing during the pandemic and advanced player analytics once play resumed. Powered by our UWB technology, the solution demonstrated that UWB micro-location can scale beyond factories, keeping athletes safe enhancing performance and reshaping how football is played and analyzed.
For more detail about this solution, read the blog post.
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