A Survey of Smartphone-Based Indoor Positioning System Using RF-Based Wireless Technologies

Abstract

In recent times, social and commercial interests in location-based services (LBS) are significantly increasing due to the rise in smart devices and technologies. The global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) have long been employed for LBS to navigate and determine accurate and reliable location information in outdoor environments. However, the GNSS signals are too weak to penetrate buildings and unable to provide reliable indoor LBS. Hence, GNSS’s incompetence in the indoor environment invites extensive research and development of an indoor positioning system (IPS). Various technologies and techniques have been studied for IPS development. This paper provides an overview of the available smartphone-based indoor localization solutions that rely on radio frequency technologies. As fingerprinting localization is mostly accepted for IPS development owing to its good localization accuracy, we discuss fingerprinting localization in detail. In particular, our analysis is more focused on practical IPS that are realized using a smartphone and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as a signal source. Furthermore, we elaborate on the challenges of practical IPS, the available solutions and comprehensive performance comparison, and present some future trends in IPS development.

Bluetooth 5.1: An Analysis of Direction Finding Capability for High-Precision Location Services

“…Nevertheless, this approach does not provide the accuracy required for inventory management systems. Additionally, location accuracy can be affected by changes in humidity and moving objects, such as forklifts, workers, and doors [ 15 , 16 ]. Although the Bluetooth Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) can be employed to measure the range from a recognized position, frequently, this methodology is not accurate for purposes such as an Indoor Location System (ILS) and resources traceability [ 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Indoor Positioning and Navigation

“…Recently, the social and commercial interest in location-based services (LBS) has been increasing significantly. The scientific field of indoor localization and navigation has undergone rapid development due to many studies considering advanced mobile and communication technologies [ 1 ]. The purpose of developing new localization algorithms and navigation systems is to enable autonomous mobile systems [ 2 ] to use these solutions in performing a specific task or to assist people who have lost their ability to navigate [ 3 ] (e.g., blind people, people with Alzheimer’s disease).…”

“…A secure, user-friendly, and accurate indoor positioning system (IPS) that can run on a smartphone could open the door to many innovative applications and create new business opportunities. The global indoor location market is expected to reach a worth of $40.99 billion by 2022 [ 1 ]. A low-cost real-time locating systems (RTLS) are very useful as they can guide people through airports, shopping malls, museums, etc.…”

“…A low-cost real-time locating systems (RTLS) are very useful as they can guide people through airports, shopping malls, museums, etc. [ 1 ], or improve production control and logistics [ 4 ]. Modern smartphones are equipped with numerous sensors (inertial sensors, camera, barometer) and communication modules (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE/5G, ultra-wideband), which enable the implementation of different localization algorithms, namely visual localization, inertial navigation system and radio localization [ 1 ].…”

“…[ 1 ], or improve production control and logistics [ 4 ]. Modern smartphones are equipped with numerous sensors (inertial sensors, camera, barometer) and communication modules (WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE/5G, ultra-wideband), which enable the implementation of different localization algorithms, namely visual localization, inertial navigation system and radio localization [ 1 ]. For the mapping of indoor environment and localization of autonomous mobile systems, LIDAR sensor is also commonly used besides smartphone sensors [ 2 , 5 , 6 ].…”