Indoor geolocation

Abstract: Time of arrival (TOA) estimation used with ultra wideband (UWB) transmission is currently the most popular technique for accurate indoor geolocation. Due to severe indoor multipath conditions, these techniques often suffer from significant inaccuracy in location estimation. In this paper, we introduce a model for the error in estimated distance as measured from the estimated TOA of the direct path (DP) in a typical multipath indoor environment. The TOA estimation error has two components, (1) the errors caused by the multipath dispersion affecting any signal path and (2) the errors caused by undetected direct path (UDP) conditions. The statistical behavior of this error is also a function of the system bandwidth. The empirical data from UWB indoor measurements in an office building are used to design a model for the distance measurement error. This model relates the behavior of the two components of the TOA estimation error to the bandwidth of the system.

Abstract: We have investigated the indoor geolocation based on signal strength modeling. Linear, compensated linear, and multiple regression methods have been applied to set up signal strength models by using simulated data. We have also analyzed this modeling method to better understand the relation between the location error and the signal strength error. Some important results have been obtained to help us determine proper placement of access points (APs) and evaluate the range of location error. A simulation experiment has been conducted based on typical parameters of IEEE802.11b MAC.

Abstract: In this paper, we present the results of the measurement and modeling of ultrawideband (UWB) time of arrival (TOA)-based ranging in different indoor multipath environments. We provide a detailed characterization of the spatial behavior of ranging, where we focus on the statistics of the ranging error in the presence and absence of the direct path (DP) and evaluate the path loss behavior in the former case, which is important for indoor geolocation coverage characterization. The frequency-domain measurements were conducted, with a nominal frequency of 4.5 GHz with two different bandwidths, i.e., 500 MHz and 3 GHz. The parameters of the ranging error probability distributions and path loss models are provided for different environments (e.g., an old office, a modern office, a house, and a manufacturing floor) and different ranging scenarios [e.g., indoor to indoor (ITI), outdoor to indoor (OTI), and roof to indoor (RTI)].

Abstract: A framework for statistical modeling of the wideband characteristics of the frequency-selective fading multipath indoor radio channel for geolocation applications is presented. Multipath characteristics of the channel are divided into three classes according to availability and the strength of the direct line of sight (DLOS) path with respect to the other paths. Statistics of the error in estimating the time of arrival of the DLOS path in a building is related to the receiver's sensitivity and dynamic range. The effects of external walls on estimating the location of the DLOS path are analyzed.