INDOOR Positioning: New Solutions for Challenging Applications

Abstract
Urgency calls applications, encouraged by regulations E911/E112, recently
led communication carriers to develop systems allowing a guaranteed location
of mobile terminals. Location must be carried out in all the environments
covered by the communication service, including the most constraining areas
such as deep indoor environments. This location capability, combined with a
data transfer service, opens the way for a new market named LBS ("Location
Based Services"). The development perspectives of this market are
exponential, but positioning systems designers face significant constraints
to meet performances requirements of urban and indoor applications.

A study named "AMINA" co-funded by the French space agency (CNES) was
undertaken by Pole Star. Its objectives were to determine which technologies
would better satisfy various indoor LBS applications. This paper describes
results of this study and discusses technical challenges, candidate
technologies and solutions.

Criteria used to compare candidate technologies are first defined, evocating
positioning performances, communication capacity, implementation costs,
ubiquity and versatility versus operational modes (e.g. in car mode or
pedestrian mode).

Many systems, such as the positioning methods of cellular networks (UMTS and
A-GPS) or Wireless networks (WIFI, Bluetooth), and specific long range and
short-range radiolocation systems are then evaluated and compared.

GPS and the future European system Galileo will allow sufficient positioning
performances in open environment, but need augmentation for urban and indoor
environment. The study has thus been directed on the hybridation or transfer
possibilities between GNSS and other systems. MEMS ("Micro Electro
Mechanical Systems"), which currently experience significant developments
and offer new perspectives for the hybridation of GNSS with inertial
navigation systems, have been analysed in this field.

A special attention has also been paid on UWB ("Ultra Wide Band")
technology. This new research domain promises location and communication
capabilities and can be envisaged as an indoor local element for Galileo.

Ongoing and future activities engaged by the CNES and Pole Star are finally
described.

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