The interconnection of devices, driven by the Internet of Things (IoT), enables a broad variety of smart applications and location-based services. The latter is often realized via transponder based approaches, which actively determine device positions within Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). In addition, interpreting wireless signal measurements also enables the utilization of radar-like passive localization of objects, further enhancing the capabilities of WSN ranging from environmental mapping to multipath detection. For these approaches, the target objects are not required to hold any device nor to actively participate in the localization process. Instead, the signal delays caused by reflections at objects within the propagation environment are used to localize the object. In this work, we used Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) sensors to measure Channel Impulse Responses (CIRs) within a WSN. Determining an object position based on the CIR can be achieved by formulating an elliptical model. Based on this relation, we propose a CIR environmental mapping (CIR-EM) method, which represents a heatmap generation of the propagation environment based on the CIRs taken from radio communication signals. Along with providing imaging capabilities, this method also allows a more robust localization when compared to state-of-the-art methods. This paper provides a proof-of-concept of passive localization solely based on evaluating radio communication signals by conducting measurement campaigns in an anechoic chamber as a best-case environment. Furthermore, shortcomings due to physical layer limitations when using non-dedicated hardware and signals are investigated. Overall, this work lays a foundation for related research and further evaluation in more application-oriented scenarios.

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Efficiency and reliable turnaround time are core features of modern aircraft transportation and key to its future sustainability. Given the connected aircraft cabin, the deployment of digitized and interconnected sensors, devices and passengers provides comprehensive state detection within the cabin. More specifically, passenger localization and occupancy detection can be monitored using location-aware communication systems, also known as wireless sensor networks. These multi-purpose communication systems serve a variety of capabilities, ranging from passenger convenience communication services, over crew member devices, to maintenance planning. In addition, radio-based sensing enables an efficient sensory basis for state monitoring; e.g., passive seat occupancy detection. Within the scope of the connected aircraft cabin, this article presents a multipath-assisted radio sensing (MARS) approach using the propagation information of transmitted signals, which are provided by the channel impulse response (CIR) of the wireless communication channel. By performing a geometrical mapping of the CIR, reflection sources are revealed, and the occupancy state can be derived. For this task, both probabilistic filtering and k-nearest neighbor classification are discussed. In order to evaluate the proposed methods, passenger occupancy detection and state detection for the future automation of passenger safety announcements and checks are addressed. Therefore, experimental measurements are performed using commercially available wideband communication devices, both in close to ideal conditions in an RF anechoic chamber and a cabin seat mockup. In both environments, a reliable radio sensing state detection was achieved. In conclusion, this paper provides a basis for the future integration of energy and spectrally efficient joint communication and sensing radio systems within the connected aircraft cabin.

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