Indoor-GPS

Indoor GPS is on the one hand a marketing term, which is to clarify the functionality – and the use – of an Indoornavigation catchily, which helps on the other hand however to uncover the analogies in the functionalities of Indoornavigation via radio technology and GPS-based navigation systems.

 

In an extremely simplified representation of GPS-based navigation systems, 24 satellites orbit the earth and communicate their exact position to a receiver via radio codes. Each satellite continuously emits its individual code and its individual orbit data.

To determine the position, a receiver must receive signals from at least three satellites simultaneously. GPS receivers can calculate their own position and speed from the signal propagation times. The Global Positioning System is a global navigation satellite system for position determination. It was developed by the US Department of Defense in the 1970s.

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Indoors there is hardly any chance of undisturbed GPS reception. However, the smartphone may show a correct position. This is made possible by localization via familiar WLAN networks in the vicinity, which the telephone/smart device uses in addition to the satellites – known as Assisted GPS (A-GPS). At the latest in underground garages or mighty reinforced concrete buildings such as shopping centres or hospital complexes, however, A-GPS is also at an end. A-GPS should not be confused with “indoor GPS”.