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How Does Indoor Positioning with Wi-Fi Work?

Each Wi-Fi access point, whether customer hotspot, router or Internet-capable point of sale system, transmits specific data. Using a RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) and MAC address (Media Access Control), an app can calculate the current location of the end user device (client-based positioning). This requires a database with information about the locations with which this data can be compared. This method is called fingerprinting. It only functions with Android devices due to technical restrictions. iOS devices cannot be used for Wi-Fi indoor navigation.

Conversely, the data from all Wi-Fi-capable devices (independent of the manufacturer) or Wi-Fi tags can be gathered and sent to the infsoft LocAware platform® by infsoft Locator Nodes for server-based positioning (e.g. for asset tracking or route analysis).

Depending on whether the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network or not, localization is affected by various restrictions. If the Wi-Fi client is not connected, latency times of up to 5 minutes result from the irregular sending of "probe request" (scanning for available access points), which is controlled by the mobile operating system and cannot be influenced. In addition, due to randomly generated, changing MAC addresses ("MAC randomization"), the smart device or the actual number of devices in an area cannot always be determined unambiguously. If the smartphone is connected to a Wi-Fi network, latency times are significantly lower as long as traffic is generated over the network. In addition, there is no MAC randomization, which means that the device can be uniquely assigned. The position accuracy is not affected by the connection to an access point.

The accuracy of Wi-Fi for indoor positioning is typically 5-15 meters because access points are usually used whose position has been optimized for data communication. This precision depends on the shielding through walls, ceilings and people, as well as the number of access points. The use of smartphone sensors can improve the results and the determination of the floor level is also possible.

Use Cases for Indoor Positioning with Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is used as a location technology in many places. Here are some examples:

Occupancy analysis in office buildings

Indoor positioning based on Wi-Fi provides valuable information about the actual use of office spaces. The results will help to better plan office areas and adapt them to the needs of the users.

Software solution used: Tracking, Indoor Analytics

Sensors used: Wi-Fi

Example of use: Occupancy Analysis in Office Buildings

Analysis of visitor flows and routes

The position of animals, goods, pallets, machines or vehicles can be tracked using an attached Wi-Fi tag.

Software solution used: Indoor Tracking

Sensors used:Wi-Fi

Asset tracking

In the area of passenger transportation, movement profiles in trains, buses, etc. can be evaluated. The collected data can be used to make forecasts regarding capacity utilization.

Software solution used: Indoor Tracking, Indoor Analytics

Sensors used: wifi

Example of use: Measuring the Rail Wagon Utilization in Rail Traffic

Analysis of motion profiles