Traditionally, drive test data is tagged with latitude and longitude data. The end result is nice visual of RF signal parameters on a heat-map on Google Earth for example.
When it comes to indoor RF data collection, technology is little primitive from the perspective geo-tagging. Regardless of the equipment you are using, whether a JDSU (Drive Test E6474A Wireless Network Optimization Software), or Commscope's Invex walk test unit, when you are indoor you will have to click on the floor plan every few seconds to show where you are so that the data can be plotted accordingly. This is not automated geo-tagging.
Indoor navigation technology, however, is evolving rapidly. I can see indoor geo-tagging coming to a RF software sooner than later. Indoor navigation technologies such as Smartsense or IndoorAtlas are not just on drawing board or conceptual phase, designers actually have working models. So it's just a matter of time when we will see these incorporated in different DAS tools.
Smartsense
Fraunhofer researchers are developing Smartsense, together with the Bosch Corporation and other partners. At its core, Smartsense is powered by a combination of two sensors working together. An accelerometer registers how fast a user is walking, and a magnetic field sensor tracks movement through the Earth’s natural magnetic field. Together, these sensors provide accurate indoor location data which can then be superimposed on a floor plan or indoor map like what Google is working on.
IndoorAtlas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkehW3fkpLQ&feature=player_embedded
Using similar technology like Smartsense, Finnish firm IndoorAtlas has released a program that uses the compasses already built into most smartphones, and anomalies in the Earth's magnetic field created by the steel shells of modern buildings to locate users inside buildings to within 4 inches to 7 ft accuracy - a method employed by birds, lobsters and sea turtles. "Each building, floor and corridor creates a distinct magnetic field disturbance that can be measured to identify a location and generate a map... until now, it has been necessary to install WiFi networks or other beacons inside buildings for location-based services. With our software, however, mobile apps can locate a mobile phone user in the building by utilising nature's infrastructure, the Earth's magnetic field." explained Janne Haverinen, the Project Manager [Source]
Whichever technology platform is picked up by the RF software vendors, combination of indoor map and these technologies will make up the next generation of indoor RF data collection programs. Talking about indoor mapping, lets talk about Google's Maps 6.0...
Google Maps 6.0
Back in November of 2011, Google launched Google Maps 6.0 for Android devices which includes indoor plans of venues such as malls, retails stores, or airports. "When you’re inside an airport, shopping mall, retail store, or other public space, Google Maps 6.0 for Android brings the freestanding map directory to the palm of your hands -- helping you determine where you are, what floor you're on, and where to go indoors." [Google Mobile Blog]
Not sure how much of the indoor floor plans will be eventually available through Google due to Privacy or Security concern, but we can certainly foresee its use for public venue DAS design and wireless network optimization software.
You may find the following articles interesting:
University of Nevada, Reno scientists design low-cost indoor navigation system for blind
UnLoc app uses “invisible” landmarks for precise indoor localization
No comments:
Post a Comment