Location Fingerprinting With Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons
TL;DR: This work provides a detailed study of BLE fingerprinting using 19 beacons distributed around a ~600 m2 testbed to position a consumer device, and investigates the choice of key parameters in a BLE positioning system, including beacon density, transmit power, and transmit frequency.
Abstract: The complexity of indoor radio propagation has resulted in location-awareness being derived from empirical fingerprinting techniques, where positioning is performed via a previously-constructed radio map, usually of WiFi signals. The recent introduction of the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radio protocol provides new opportunities for indoor location. It supports portable battery-powered beacons that can be easily distributed at low cost, giving it distinct advantages over WiFi. However, its differing use of the radio band brings new challenges too. In this work, we provide a detailed study of BLE fingerprinting using 19 beacons distributed around a $\sim\! 600\ \mbox{m}^2$ testbed to position a consumer device. We demonstrate the high susceptibility of BLE to fast fading, show how to mitigate this, and quantify the true power cost of continuous BLE scanning. We further investigate the choice of key parameters in a BLE positioning system, including beacon density, transmit power, and transmit frequency. We also provide quantitative comparison with WiFi fingerprinting. Our results show advantages to the use of BLE beacons for positioning. For one-shot (push-to-fix) positioning we achieve $30\ \mbox{m}^2$ ), compared to $100\ \mbox{m}^2$ ) and < 8.5 m for an established WiFi network in the same area.
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Dissertation•
01 May 2020
TL;DR: The proposed IoT Beacon-based tracking system concept to be applied at Evans Library at Florida Tech to replace the manual approach that is currently used by the library staff was useful, applicable, and acceptable for the students and staff.
Abstract: Title: IoT Tracking System Effectiveness in Enhancing Library Services Author: Khulud Alawaji Thesis Advisor: Marius C. Silaghi, Ph.D. The advantages that the Internet of Things (IoT) provides lead to an increase in the number of IoT solutions that integrate different fields. One of the important IoT contributions is in location-based IoT applications, which leverage the Indoor Positioning System (IPS) technology. IPS uses numerous technologies; one is the Beacon technology, which is based on a small wireless sensor device used to send signals. IPS based Beacon technology used in college libraries to increase the productivity, accuracy, safety, and efficiency of daily processes. This research proposed an IoT Beacon-based tracking system concept to be applied at Evans Library at Florida Tech to replace the manual approach that is currently used by the library staff. However, applying IoT solutions to public places could cause some significant concerns to the users in terms of acceptability, usability, and effectiveness. Thus, the study also used interviews and surveys to collect student and staff insights into the proposed IoT solution. According to the results of the study, the proposed solution was useful, applicable, and acceptable for the students and staff. Furthermore, the study predicted the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed solution for the library staff.
1 citations
Cites background from "Location Fingerprinting With Blueto..."
...However, satellite signals weaken in buildings because of penetration barriers [10]....
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...GPS is known to use satellites to support world-wide navigation; however, satellites do not transmit strong enough signals to reach buildings because of penetration barriers [10]....
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...and the transfer of data as well as advertisement messages [10]....
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TL;DR: In this paper , the authors provide an in-depth survey of the methods and the latest technical progress in RFID positioning to identify the underlying challenges and the potential applications of RFID in industrial IoT.
Abstract: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has become a key enabler for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). By taking advantage of the backscattered radio waves, the identity and position of RFID-labeled objects can be obtained simultaneously. Very many efforts have been devoted to the investigations of RFID positioning, but practical applications are rarely seen in industrial sectors. Motived by the potentiality of RFID positioning and the gap between research and practice, this investigation aims to provide an in-depth survey of the methods and the latest technical progress in RFID positioning to identify the underlying challenges. The main contributions include (1) A theoretical model of radio frequency backscatter coupling-based positioning and an in-depth analysis of the influencing parameters. (2) A new classification of RFID positioning techniques with a discussion of the latest progress. (3) A summary of the potential applications and the underlying challenges facing the state-of-the-art, including the simultaneous attitude and position acquisition and the flexible integration with practical applications. (4) The prospects of emerging technologies such as the integration of identification, sensing, and positioning, RFID positioning-powered robotics operations, and machine learning/deep learning algorithms are discussed. This investigation gives a comprehensive perspective on RFID positioning, which provides a reference for related research and practices.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors proposed two message-based time difference of arrivals (TDOAs) equations for hyperbolic localization which require no synchronization and meet or exceed state-of-the-art accuracy.
Abstract: Hyperbolic localization measures the time difference of arrivals (TDOAs) of signals to determine the location of a wireless source or receiver. Traditional methods depend on precise clock synchronization between nodes so that time measurements from independent devices can be meaningfully compared. Imperfect synchronization is often the dominant source of error. We propose two new message-based TDOA equations for hyperbolic localization which require no synchronization and meet or exceed state-of-the-art accuracy. Our approaches leverage anchor nodes that observe each other’s packet arrival times and a novel reformulation of the TDOA equation to reduce the effect of clock drift error. Closed-form equations are derived for computing TDOA in both self-localization and source-localization modes of operation along with bounds on maximum clock drift error. Three experiments are performed, including a clock drift simulation, a nonline-of-sight (NLOS) simulation, and an indoor validation experiment on custom ultra wideband (UWB) hardware all of which involved eight anchor nodes and one localizing node in a 128- $\text{m}^{3}$ capture volume. Our source-localization approach achieved unprecedented accuracy with lower cost equipment and trivial setup. Our self-localization matched state-of-the-art accuracy but with infinite scalability and high privacy. These results could enable economical and infinite density indoor navigation and dramatically reduce the economic cost and increase the accuracy of implementing industrial and commercial tracking applications.
1 citations
01 Sep 2019
TL;DR: A novel 3-D positioning method for a smartphone using only one external speaker that identifies the limitations of localization via a single speaker using dilution-of-precision measures and proposes a3D localization model that uses the stereo microphones in a smartphone.
Abstract: In this paper, we describe a novel 3-D positioning method for a smartphone using only one external speaker. To obtain the smartphone’s 3-D position using this speaker, we apply the concept of a mirror-image speaker. For a mirror-image speaker, the primary reflected signals from the wall or floor are captured as signals transmitted from a "virtual speaker" mounted at a mirror-image position with respect to the speaker’s original position. In addition, we can solve the 3-D localization problem, which is difficult with a single microphone, and propose a 3-D localization model that uses the stereo microphones in a smartphone. Holding the smartphone sideways, we capture the signals from real and mirror-image speakers using the two built-in microphones in the smartphone. We can then calculate the smartphone’s 3-D position using the signal reception time obtained by each microphone and the baseline between the stereo microphones. In our experiments, we located the speaker and estimated the smartphone’s position at several places along a corridor. In our results, we obtained 90th-percentile errors of less than 73.23 mm for the 3-D positioning. Furthermore, we identified the limitations of localization via a single speaker using dilution-of-precision measures.
1 citations
Cites methods from "Location Fingerprinting With Blueto..."
...Among the methods using TDoA are GaoGao [17], ASSIST [18], ALPS [19], and Sonoloc [20]....
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01 Sep 2019
TL;DR: This research explores reliability and timing issues of push notification from Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons in outdoor districts for smartphone-based interactive applications and compares the novel notification model, named n-1 model, to the typical 1-1 alignment mean of one notification with single content.
Abstract: This research explores reliability and timing issues of push notification from Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons in outdoor districts for smartphone-based interactive applications. First, beacon signals fully cover a targeted area. The second issue is that beacon infrastructure is designed for reliable performance against environmental properties. Finally, the experience quality of notification to smartphone or mobile devices takes high level even though users have mobility such as a driver in a car, a user riding a bicycle, a walking user, etc. For finding out base lines to achieve these features in interactive system design and practical deployment of smart applications based on smartphone-beacon interaction, we evaluate real performances of beacon running at outdoor places. We compare the novel notification model, named n-1 model, which merely copes with application variables with delivering content redundancy, to the typical 1-1 alignment mean of one notification with single content. The proposed model shows average 70 % improvement against those impediments.
1 citations
Cites background from "Location Fingerprinting With Blueto..."
...Recently, there is the wave of smartphone-based interactive sensing to provide context such as locomotive activities and movement trajectories of individuals [1]-[4]....
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...Recently, the state-of-the-art visions for novel usage of the interactive systems assisted from BLE advertisement is emerging [1]-[4]....
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References
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01 Nov 2007
TL;DR: Comprehensive performance comparisons including accuracy, precision, complexity, scalability, robustness, and cost are presented.
Abstract: Wireless indoor positioning systems have become very popular in recent years. These systems have been successfully used in many applications such as asset tracking and inventory management. This paper provides an overview of the existing wireless indoor positioning solutions and attempts to classify different techniques and systems. Three typical location estimation schemes of triangulation, scene analysis, and proximity are analyzed. We also discuss location fingerprinting in detail since it is used in most current system or solutions. We then examine a set of properties by which location systems are evaluated, and apply this evaluation method to survey a number of existing systems. Comprehensive performance comparisons including accuracy, precision, complexity, scalability, robustness, and cost are presented.
4,123 citations
"Location Fingerprinting With Blueto..." refers background in this paper
...Indoor positioning is a mature research field, with many proposed technologies and techniques—comprehensive overviews can be found in [2], [18], [19]....
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06 Jun 2005
TL;DR: The Horus system identifies different causes for the wireless channel variations and addresses them and uses location-clustering techniques to reduce the computational requirements of the algorithm and the lightweight Horus algorithm helps in supporting a larger number of users by running the algorithm at the clients.
Abstract: We present the design and implementation of the Horus WLAN location determination system. The design of the Horus system aims at satisfying two goals: high accuracy and low computational requirements. The Horus system identifies different causes for the wireless channel variations and addresses them to achieve its high accuracy. It uses location-clustering techniques to reduce the computational requirements of the algorithm. The lightweight Horus algorithm helps in supporting a larger number of users by running the algorithm at the clients.We discuss the different components of the Horus system and its implementation under two different operating systems and evaluate the performance of the Horus system on two testbeds. Our results show that the Horus system achieves its goal. It has an error of less than 0.6 meter on the average and its computational requirements are more than an order of magnitude better than other WLAN location determination systems. Moreover, the techniques developed in the context of the Horus system are general and can be applied to other WLAN location determination systems to enhance their accuracy. We also report lessons learned from experimenting with the Horus system and provide directions for future work.
1,631 citations
"Location Fingerprinting With Blueto..." refers background in this paper
...Here the focus is on radio positioning, specifically using the empirical fingerprinting techniques [3], [15], [17], [22] that avoid the need to model the complex radio propagation environment indoors by patternmatching to a previously surveyed map of radio signal strengths....
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TL;DR: It is concluded that PDR techniques alone can offer good short- to medium- term tracking under certain circumstances, but that regular absolute position fixes from partner systems will be needed to ensure long-term operation and to cope with unexpected behaviours.
Abstract: With the continual miniaturisation of sensors and processing nodes, Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) systems are becoming feasible options for indoor tracking. These use inertial and other sensors, often combined with domain-specific knowledge about walking, to track user movements. There is currently a wealth of relevant literature spread across different research communities. In this survey, a taxonomy of modern PDRs is developed and used to contextualise the contributions from different areas. Techniques for step detection, characterisation, inertial navigation and step-and-heading-based dead-reckoning are reviewed and compared. Techniques that incorporate building maps through particle filters are analysed, along with hybrid systems that use absolute position fixes to correct dead-reckoning output. In addition, consideration is given to the possibility of using smartphones as PDR sensing devices. The survey concludes that PDR techniques alone can offer good short- to medium- term tracking under certain circumstances, but that regular absolute position fixes from partner systems will be needed to ensure long-term operation and to cope with unexpected behaviours. It concludes by identifying a detailed list of challenges for PDR researchers.
749 citations
"Location Fingerprinting With Blueto..." refers background in this paper
...fingerprints with other sources to form hybrid systems, many of which are based on the idea of Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) [10], [16] being applied to pedestrian dead reckoning [13]....
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01 Feb 2000
TL;DR: This paper analyzes shortcomings of the basic system, develops and evaluates solutions to address these shortcomings, and describes several new enhancements, including a novel access point-based environmental profiling scheme, and a Viterbi-like algorithm for continuous user tracking and disambiguation of candidate user locations.
Abstract: We address the problem of locating users inside buildings using a radio-frequency (RF) wireless LAN. A previous paper presented the basic design and a limited evaluation of a user-location system we have developed. In this paper, we analyze shortcomings of the basic system, and develop and evaluate solutions to address these shortcomings. Additionally, we describe several new enhancements, including a novel access point-based environmental profiling scheme, and a Viterbi-like algorithm for continuous user tracking and disambiguation of candidate user locations. Using extensive data collected from our deployment, we evaluate our system’s performance over multiple wireless LAN technologies and in different buildings on our campus. We also discuss significant practical issues that arise in implementing such a system. Our techniques are implemented purely in software and are easily deployable over a standard wireless LAN.
608 citations
01 Jun 2010
TL;DR: NTP version 4 (NTPv4), which is backwards compatible with NTP version 3 (N TPv3), described in RFC 1305, as well as previous versions of the protocol, are described.
Abstract: The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is widely used to synchronize computer
clocks in the Internet. This document describes NTP version 4 (NTPv4),
which is backwards compatible with NTP version 3 (NTPv3), described in
RFC 1305, as well as previous versions of the protocol. NTPv4 includes
a modified protocol header to accommodate the Internet Protocol
version 6 address family. NTPv4 includes fundamental improvements in
the mitigation and discipline algorithms that extend the potential
accuracy to the tens of microseconds with modern workstations and fast
LANs. It includes a dynamic server discovery scheme, so that in many
cases, specific server configuration is not required. It corrects
certain errors in the NTPv3 design and implementation and includes an
optional extension mechanism. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
605 citations
"Location Fingerprinting With Blueto..." refers methods in this paper
...Before each experiment, each clock was manually synchronized using a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server [20]....
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