Indoor localization using Smartphone-based IEEE 802.11mc WiFi Round Trip Time (RTT) and Android Aware technology

Abstract

Self-localization of mobile nodes is a critical challenge in enabling a wide range of mobile applications that rely on accurate position information. Traditionally, obtaining precise location data has required specialized hardware or dedicated infrastructure, such as GPS, UWB, ultrasounds transceivers, GSM, or WLAN. However, we propose an alternative approach that eliminates the need for such additional components and infrastructure. Our approach revolves around the concept of cooperative and opportunistic data exchanges among mobile nodes, which can significantly enhance and refine the localization process. Consider a scenario where a target node lacks GPS or any position information. By leveraging communication with multiple nearby mobile peer nodes that possess some positioning capabilities, we can achieve indoor localization without the need for specialized hardware or infrastructure support. Specifically, our smartphone-based technique harnesses the power of IEEE 802.11mc WiFi-based fine time measurement (FTM) capabilities for indoor navigation and tracking. This cutting-edge technology utilizes smartphones equipped with WiFi chipsets that support round trip time (RTT) measurements. By leveraging FTM and its hardware-level timestamping of send and receive events, we can accurately estimate the RTT and, consequently, infer precise distance measurements.

An advantageous aspect of our technique is its infrastructure independence. It operates autonomously, leveraging the networking capabilities of smartphone devices and facilitating communication through the formation of device clusters. This is made possible by leveraging the Android Aware technology, allowing for seamless networking and collaboration among smartphones within the same vicinity. By employing this smartphone-based approach, we open up new possibilities for indoor localization and tracking. The technique enables GPS-like operation indoors, overcoming the limitations of traditional positioning methods. It leverages the ubiquity of smartphones and their embedded WiFi capabilities to achieve accurate and reliable indoor localization without the need for additional hardware or infrastructure support.

In summary, our approach represents the next generation of indoor navigation and tracking. By leveraging the IEEE 802.11mc WiFi-based FTM capabilities of smartphones, we unlock the potential for precise indoor localization. The technique capitalizes on cooperative and opportunistic data exchanges among mobile nodes, enabling accurate position estimation without relying on specialized hardware or dedicated infrastructure. With our infrastructure-independent solution, we pave the way for a new era of indoor positioning technology.