Methods, systems, and devices for detecting earliest channel path and/or determining time of arrival of signals in location tracking systems are described. An ultra-wideband (UWB) signal may be received from a tag. A noise estimation level above which the UWB signal is detectable may be determined using a noise estimation metric. A channel impulse response (IR) energy level may be determined using a channel energy metric. A leading edge window of the UWB signal may be identified. The leading edge window may be based on, at least in part, the noise estimation level and the channel IR energy level.