Wi-Fi positioning system (client)

Abstract

In the past, mobile phone was just a phone that allows individual to make call anywhere, anytime. But now mobile phone transform into a smart phone where personal computer was pack into one small portable gadget that allow user to do more than just making phone call. In the perspective of networking, communication between computers evolved from wired communication to wireless medium over the years and now almost everywhere we go there is network access due to wireless networking. Thus, with the steady rise of both mobile computing and network communication, it fosters the need for location-aware system and services.

People rely on Global Positioning System (GPS) for location-tracking however, it render useless when people are inside the building as the signal only work best in outdoor where there is clear line-of-sight (LOS) with the GPS satellites and using signals from multiple satellites to determine the location. However, when the user is inside the building, user is not able to receive signals from the satellites. Since most of the indoor places have already had Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) infrastructure installed, it would be better to make use of it.

This report will first look at the fundamental principle of a general positioning system based on WLAN and background knowledge about Android, follow by a thorough review of the current positioning system. With the knowledge of the current positioning system, a new design for the client application running on Android platform will be proposed for development. Finally this report will conclude about the project and provide a list of recommendation for the project.