Locationing

• Accurate location determination

Accurate location determination with locationing technology allows the exact localization of an object or person using advanced location algorithms and sensor technology.

• Enhanced security

The implementation of enhanced security mechanisms in locationing systems strengthens data integrity and access control, resulting in increased trustworthiness and robustness of the locationing process.

• Real-time tracking

Real-time tracking through locationing technologies enables the continuous and precise localization of objects or people in real time, enabling immediate response and monitoring in various application areas.

The integration of cellular (GNSS) in locationing applications offers a variety of technical advantages and capabilities. Precise positions can be determined by using GNSS signals. The combination of GNSS and cellular enables precise location-based data transmission, which is essential for applications such as asset tracking, vehicle tracking and navigation. The nRF9160 is Nordic's first low-power mobile device. It is designed to provide the highest possible standard of energy efficiency and security. This means that battery-powered devices can count on a longer battery life.

• Global coverage

Global coverage via the cellular (GNSS) network ensures seamless positioning and navigation worldwide through the integration of various satellite systems and cellular networks, enabling reliable location determination in almost all regions of the world.

• High accuracy

High accuracy over the cellular (GNSS) system is achieved by combining multiple satellite systems, precise signal processing algorithms and advanced receiver technologies, to provide accurate location determination with minimal error margins.

• Power consumption

Energy efficiency via the cellular (GNSS) system is achieved through optimized algorithms for signal processing and location determination, as well as by the implementation of power saving modes in the receivers, resulting in extended battery life and more efficient use of resources.

The integration of Wi-Fi into locationing applications offers a number of technical advantages. Wi-Fi provides excellent indoor coverage where GNSS signals are often weak or unavailable. The Nordic nRF 70 series can detect Wi-Fi signals and use them for accurate indoor positioning, which is crucial for applications such as indoor navigation, asset tracking in buildings or location services in shopping malls. The Nordic nRF 70 series makes it easy to integrate Wi-Fi into locationing applications. With its flexible connectivity interface and supporting software, Wi-Fi can be seamlessly integrated into existing applications, reducing development time and accelerating time-to-market.

• Simple setup

Wi-Fi's easy setuo is made possible by user-friendly configuration processes and automatic detection methods that allow users to quickly and easily set up and manage their networks.

• Wide availability

Wi-Fi's ubiquitous infrastructure of access points and routers, along with its integration with a wide range of devices and applications, provides near-universal connectivity and accessibility in different environments.

• High speed

The high speed of Wi-Fi is made possible by advanced transmission standards such as IEEE 802.11ac or 802.11ax as well as the use of MIMO technology and wider channels, which ensure fast data transmission and improved performance in wireless networks.

Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI)

The oldest method of radio-level distance measurement (ranging) is RSSI. Its basic principle is straightforward: the distance between two radio devices is calculated based on how much the signal between them – more specifically its amplitude – has decayed over the transmission distance. RSSI can give an indication of the distance between two radio transceivers, although it uses rough estimates. It's also well established because it's available in all smartphones. The basic accuracy of RSSI is relatively low – on the order of several meters, typically three to five. Much depends on the environment, as RSSI is susceptible to interference from external factors, such as absorption and diffraction. Just the fact that you're holding the device in your hand can make a big difference.

Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD)

First introduced in the Bluetooth^® Core Specification v5.1, Bluetooth Direction Finding approach to AoA and AoD presents the first significant advancement in distance ranging accuracy over RSSI. Both techniques don't directly measure distance, but rather estimate the angle of incoming and outgoing radio signals respectively. Using trigonometry, distances can then be calculated.

Angle of arrival and angle of departure can achieve sub-meter accuracy, but much depends on the practical circumstances. For indoor locations with many obstacles and reflective surfaces, multipath propagation (the fact that the signal reaches the receiver via indirect routes as well as via potentially direct paths) can prevent reliable measurements.

Bluetooth channel scanning

Unlike AoA and AoD, which require multiple antennas, increase chip footprint, and can suffer from performance issues in multipath environments, Bluetooth^® channel sounding introduces a new method to achieve accurate distance estimates known as phase-based ranging (PBR).

In phase-based ranging, an accurate estimate of the distance between the two radio devices is obtained by analyzing the radio signal’s phase. Essentially, the time of flight of the radio signal, i.e. the distance between the two devices, is accurately measured using phase data.

To measure the phase data, both devices alternately transmit and receive in a coordinated manner. This is repeated several times on different frequencies (channels), resolving ambiguities and improving accuracy, even in the presence of reflections (multipath), such as in indoor environments.