Using Pattern Matching Algorithm and Signal Propagation Model to Localise Mobile Devices in a WLAN

IEEE 802.11b standard, also known as Wi-Fi, is one of the most used wireless communication system. Location of a mobile device using IEEE 802.11b communication infrastructure has a lot of advantages, first of all the use of the same hardware/software needed by the mobile device to communicate. Literature presents many approaches for localisation based on Wi-Fi; one of the most known features the use of the pattern-matching algorithm. Localisation based on pattern-matching algorithm is mainly realised in indoor environment; outdoor localisations based on Wi-Fi and pattern matching algorithm is currently missing in literature. For this reason, one of the aims of the paper is to present and evaluate outdoor use of this algorithm based on IEEE 802.11b communication system. Further, the paper will present a novel approach for localisation, aimed to reduce the complexity of the pattern-matching algorithm. Performance evaluations will be presented in the paper in order to clearly assess the outdoor localisation errors achievable when using the proposed approach. © 2006 IEEE.