This paper analyses localization schemes in relation to accuracy, hardware requirements, and medium access. Measurements principles and system topologies are investigated. The front-end design of a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW)-based local positioning is presented. The transceiver operates in the 5.8 GHz ISM band and is able to transmit frequency chirps at 14 dBm output power. The receiver has a sensitivity of -80 dBm, which allows coverage distance up to 200 m. Moreover, an integrated pulsed reflector for an FMCW radar system is presented. The circuits are designed in an 0.25 μm SiGe-BiCMOS technology, and the design achieves a sensitivity of -58 dBm. It consumes 6 mW DC power.