A robust model-based approach to indoor positioning using signal strength

A simple technique to estimate the position of a mobile node inside a building is based on the Received Signal Strength (RSS). In previous publications, we investigated the effectiveness of using circular array antennas and beamforming in order to enable an access point to estimate the position of a mobile inside a building. We also discussed the feasibility of using model-based radio maps to reduce the need for extensive offline measurements. In this paper, a positioning algorithm based on the relative order of the received signal strengths is discussed. This algorithm in conjunction with the ray-tracing propagation model can have promising performance for indoor environments and essentially eliminates the needs for an extensive set of a priori measurement, training or intricate calibration.