Indoor positioning system

Positioning systems are technologies that are used for determining the instant position. The most known positioning system is Global Positioning System, also known as GPS. Global Positioning System is used for estimating of position in a wide area. However it is not possible to use Global Positioning System in indoor positioning. There are different methods and devices used in indoor positioning systems. In this study, it is aimed to develop a real time positioning system that is suitable for indoor locations. Tracking the instant position on a map is also aimed. In this study, an indoor positioning system is implemented in a finite area that is placed on the first floor of Engineering Faculty of TOBB ETU. In the study, the instant position of a mobile laptop that is capable of wireless connection is determined. In the software the signal strengths that are obtained from access points in the building are used. Before the position estimation, signal strengths of access points are observed at some locations. These values are stored and associated with instant signal strengths in order to estimate the position of mobile device. During position estimation, different algorithms are used and results are compared with each other. In this study, the methods used for position estimation are based on the Euclid distance. In addition to these methods, the results from neural networks are also analyzed. At the end of study, the position estimations with an average error of approximately 3 m. are accomplished. The ability of obtaining this error rate with the present wireless communication infrastructure and the fact that the prepared work would not need any hardware lead to the conclusion on the possible usability of such a system with the indoor positioning.