Advanced Indoor Positioning Systems & Tracking Solutions
The Global positioning system (GPS) is widely used all around the world but it is efficient only outside. The GPS utilizing satellite-based GPS signals is widely used all around the world for precise outdoor positioning. However, when it comes to indoor environments, GPS signals are limited in their efficiency in locating people and gathering accurate location data. In order to track objects inside buildings, it is necessary to use an indoor positioning system (IPS) that works both on generally accepted Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standards and on passive RFID or UWB technologies.
How does indoor positioning system work?
Indoor positioning is a system that allows the detection of objects inside buildings where satellite navigation practically doesn’t work.
The indoor position system is based on beacons or tags that are installed in buildings or placed on tracked objects. Special readers receive signals from these connected devices and send them to the server that processes the obtained data and directs the information with the exact coordinates to the computer or mobile application. Such a indoor positioning solution makes it possible to build routes, send push notifications with advertising or useful tips to users.
Every year, indoor localization systems are becoming increasingly popular among companies worldwide. As of 2023, the volume of the international indoor positioning market was estimated at $10.9 billion. Industry experts predict that by 2028 the average annual growth rate of the market will be 22.3%, and its total value will be estimated at $29.8 billion.
Benefits of using Indoor Positioning Systems
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People flow optimization thanks to improved indoor positioning and navigation;
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Additional marketing channel (sending push notifications);
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Space optimization thanks to the received analytical data on visitors;
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Enhancing the safety of the company’s staff or visitors;
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Improving the quality of customer service;
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Possibility to save time on searching the objects of interest.
Main technologies for Indoor Positioning
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Bluetooth® LE
Bluetooth Low Energy allows defining the location of objects with an accuracy of 2-5 m. Simple and affordable iBeacon beacons, which send their identifiers to the readers inside the premises on an on-going basis, are used for implementing an indoor positioning system. The server system receives the transmitted information and immediately defines the location of each tag.
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Wi-Fi
Indoor positioning systems using WI-Fi allow for the realization of local positioning systems without additional equipment and complicated infrastructure servicing. The receiver in the building detects the information, calculates the object's location and sends the coordinates into the Cloud. Location accuracy can be quite high – about 3-5 m.
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Ultra-Wide Band (UWB)
The Ultra WideBand indoor location technologies belong to wireless communication types functioning within small distances with minimum energy consumption. It is one of the most precise positioning technologies. Because of high implementation costs, the technology is usually used only if enterprises need the most precise data on location - the accuracy of indoor positioning systems can be up to 30 cm.
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Indoor positioning algorithms and methods
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RSSI
This technique allows you to determine the location of an object based on the distance between the tags and the receiver, depending on the strength of the signals. It can work in combination with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® Low Energy. Most often, this method is used when tags are visible to several base stations.
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Zone-based Localization Algorithm
This algorithm is based on calculating the coordinates of the transmitter with the highest RSSI. The indoor positioning system compares the user's position with the location of the transmitting device and allows its location to be calculated by measuring the strength of the received signal.
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Particle Filter
This algorithm generates particles that contain system modes such as orientation and position. When implementing this method, particles are first selected based on the geometry of the location, and then their weight is measured: the higher it is, the greater the likelihood of finding the user in a particular place. Finally, particles are resampled with filtering and coordinate calculations.
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K-Nearest Neighbors Positioning Algorithm
The K-nearest neighbors method is implemented by traversing and evaluating signals from beacons or Wi-Fi tags at different target points. To use this algorithm, you must have an Android smartphone with Navigine’s app already installed.
Applications of IPS in Various Industries
Using the indoor location/geolocation system at transport hubs improves the quality of passenger service. In order to work in full with IPS, users have to install the application on their mobile devices that help to:
• find points of interest (border crossings, restrooms or cafes);
• build the shortest route on interactive indoor maps to the required object;
• get useful information on the railway station or airport performance.
The management of the transport hub can control the flow of people to reduce load at selected zones and increase passengers’ satisfaction.
In retailing indoor positioning solutions are used for increasing customer loyalty and improving their experience of interacting with a point of sale. After installing the mobile application with the function of indoor localization, a customer can:
• quickly search the necessary goods;
• get information when he is approaching the wanted items;
• perform step-by-step navigation around the store or shopping center.
For the management the benefits of applying the system of indoor positioning are a possibility to optimize the store performance for improving the quality of customer service.
Shopping malls often look like small towns consisting of numerous floors, stores, and departments. In order not to be lost in this variety, customers can use the mobile app that will help them get to the wanted place. For business owners indoor location services means additional marketing channels that are used for delivering to customers push notifications on discounts, promotions, sales. Moreover, it helps to analyze traffic to understand visitors’ behavior and optimize the arrangement of objects inside the shopping center.
Indoor positioning systems at industrial enterprises allow for increasing labor safety, reducing costs, and saving time in executing production processes. Forklift tracking is a typical example of the technology application. Objects are equipped with special tags that make it possible to track their movement and define downtime. If necessary, one can create optimal routes for transport and adjust them in real time.
In healthcare the indoor positioning system app is useful for navigating people inside buildings. Large hospitals and medical centers have many buildings and large territories so patients can be easily lost while searching for the necessary room. Thanks to indoor tracking without GPS technology, people can quickly get to the necessary places and the staff can track medical assets without difficulties.
Indoor tracking and positioning inside warehouses helps to control assets and minimize non-effective logistics processes. It also helps monitoring warehouse workers to ensure their safety, adjust daily tasks in real time and timely react to emergency situations.
Equipment for operating indoor positioning systems
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Bluetooth® Low Energy Tags
They can be used to monitor the location of people, equipment, vehicles, and valuable assets. Bluetooth® LE tags are distinguished by their compact size and low power consumption.
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UWB Tags
Ultra-Wide Band tags can present themselves as labels, badges, and other wearable devices that allow you to control objects with an accuracy of up to 10 inches. UWB tags combine ease of setup, low energy consumption, and versatility in use.
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Bluetooth® Low Energy Gateways
They are used to connect Bluetooth® devices and allow you to collect information from nearby beacons. The radio transmission range is up to 1000 feet.
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UWB Antennas
UWB antennas transmit information from UWB tags to servers. They have high throughput and are resistant to interference.
Navigine specializes in developing and implementing indoor positioning systems into the company’s infrastructure. We offer practical and functional tools, Navigine Tracking and Navigine SDK, which help to organize efficient navigation inside buildings.
