Location-based services
What are location-based services?

Location-based services (or LBS) provide geographic context for applications such as wayfinding, asset tracking, and marketing campaigns. Wi‑Fi location-based services rely on ranging techniques from the access point (AP) to the client device to determine position. For this reason, accurate location-based services rely on accurate placement of APs as the reference points for client measurements.

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  • Location-based services explained
  • What are the use cases for location-based services?
  • What is the market opportunity for location-based services?
  • How does indoor location differ from outdoor location?
  • What is the role of APs in Wi‑Fi location-based services?
  • How do APs overcome the challenge of weak GPS signals indoors?
  • Why do Wi‑Fi 6E and in the future Wi‑Fi 7 require accurate location?
  • What is 802.11mc?
  • What is 802.11az?
  • What is Open Locate?
  • Benefits of Wi‑Fi location-based services
Location-based services explained

Location-based services explained

Location-based services describe the delivery of applications that are location-aware. Several wireless technologies can be used including:

  • Wi‑Fi ranging techniques that are based on 802.11mc (fine time measurement) or Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) method
  • Ultra-wideband (UWB) which operates at very high frequencies and requires an expensive overlay network to deliver centimeter-level accuracy
  • Bluetooth battery-operated beacons that can work with Wi‑Fi APs

What are the different types of location-based services?

Comparison of Wi‑Fi location-based services techniques

Relative Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)
Angle of Arrival (AoA)
Ultra-wide Band (UWB)
FTM(802.11mc/802.11az)

Description: The oldest and least accurate method to estimate distance

Description: BLE combined with signal strength method to improve poor accuracy

Description: Location is determined based on high-frequency, close range measurements

Description: Location is determined based on highly granular, round-trip measurement times

Limitations: Signal is impacted by building and environmental materials, thereby reducing accuracy

Limitations: Requires custom RF hardware

Limitations: Overlay deployment with high effort, high cost

Limitations: Wi‑Fi APs must support FTM

Level of accuracy: 10 meters

Level of accuracy: Unknown

Level of accuracy: Several centimeters

Level of accuracy: 1-2 meters to several centimeters

Related topics

What is access point?

What is Wi‑Fi 7?

What is outdoor access point?

What is Wi‑Fi 6E?