Concept of Indoor Localization System Utilizing UWB Technology

Abstract:

The issue of indoor localization is increasingly pertinent in contemporary industrial and public utility spaces. Rapid access to information regarding the location of sought-after assets is becoming more valued. The ability to automatically plan routes within warehouses, large-scale retail stores, or office buildings is emerging as a necessity for further development. Existing localization systems often rely on Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) measurements, which unfortunately do not linearly quantify space and exhibit non-monotonic RSSI-distance characteristics. In contrast, systems based on measuring the time of electromagnetic wave propagation through a chosen medium offer a consistent propagation speed, facilitating precise distance measurements. This paper discusses the initial stages of implementing an indoor localization system utilizing 17 ESP32 UWB PRO developer boards, each integrating ESP32 microcontrollers and DW1000 Ultra-Wideband (UWB) modules. The paper outlines the rationale behind selecting UWB technology for precise distance measurements and discusses the advantages and limitations of using WiFi for data reporting. Furthermore, it presents plans for refining distance measurement mechanisms and experimental evaluations of various anti-collision algorithms, including ALOHA, TDMA, CSMA/CA, with a focus on O-persistent schemes.