Kellie Kendall Mar 21st 2024

How Wi-Fi Positioning Works

Watch this Quick Video to Learn More about Wi-Fi Positioning

Key Takeaways:

• Wi-Fi positioning serves as a backup when GPS signals are unavailable, such as indoors or in urban areas.
• It works by detecting Wi-Fi signals and comparing them to a database of known access points to estimate the device’s location, with the accuracy influenced by the characteristics of data communication, such as the configuration of access points and interference with standard network services.
• This method is less precise than GPS but provides a rough location until GPS signals are restored.
• Wi-Fi positioning doesn’t require network access; it simply reads the signal for positioning. Advances in using mobile devices have enhanced estimation techniques, improving the accuracy of Wi-Fi positioning.

What happens when your GPS device needs help getting a fix with Wi-Fi positioning?

The Global Positioning System, or GPS, uses a network of satellites in orbit around the Earth to calculate a receiver’s position. Each satellite sends out signals with its own position, then receivers take that data to figure out where they are themselves. The system is made up of dozens of satellites and designed so that there will be enough to calculate a receiver’s position anywhere in the world at just about any given time. More satellites in view means a more accurate location.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), including GPS, are highly effective for outdoor location tracking but face limitations in indoor environments.

But what if your device can’t get a satellite signal? GPS doesn’t work well without a clear view of the sky, whether because it’s indoors or in an urban canyon surrounded by skyscrapers, making it less effective in an indoor environment.

Many devices use a Wi-Fi positioning system as a fallback. This method is particularly significant for indoor localization in indoor environments like healthcare and augmented reality.

Wi-Fi positioning works a lot like GPS and is a crucial method for indoor positioning. This does NOT require access to the wireless network or provide any sort of access. It’s a lot like reading an address from the street.

Once the device has recognized a Wi-Fi signal, it consults an index of known Wi-Fi access points, calculates its distance from the source based on received signal strength indication (RSSI), and figures out its rough physical location, forming an indoor positioning system. More wireless access points mean better accuracy. Smart access points can further enhance the accuracy of indoor positioning systems by processing data on-site.

While not as precise as satellite positioning in most situations, this method can usually provide a usable estimate until the device returns to a clear view of the sky. However, Wi-Fi positioning is limited in areas lacking nearby Wi-Fi networks, which can lead to substantial data charges and reduced accuracy. Once it does, GPS will take back over to get you the best possible location information.

If you need to track something that might spend a lot of time without satellite signal, call the experts at BrickHouse Security to make sure you get the right device.