WiFi FTM and UWB Characterization for Localization in Construction Sites

Area of Science:

• Construction Technology
• Indoor Positioning Systems
• Industry 4.0

Background:

• High-precision location is crucial for Industry 4.0.
• The construction sector lags in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Existing indoor location services face challenges in construction environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy and penetration of Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) and WiFi Fine Time Measurement (FTM) in construction settings.
• To compare the performance of UWB and WiFi-FTM against prior indoor measurements.
• To assess the benefits of fusing UWB and WiFi-FTM for improved location services in construction.

Main Methods:

• A measurement campaign was conducted in a real construction environment.
• UWB and WiFi-FTM systems were deployed and tested.
• Performance was compared under various conditions, including Line-of-Sight (LOS) and obstructed paths.

Main Results:

• UWB provides superior ranging accuracy in Line-of-Sight (LOS) conditions.
• Reinforced concrete significantly impedes UWB signal propagation.
• WiFi-FTM demonstrates better penetration through structural elements, leveraging openings for location services.
• Fusion of location technologies showed potential improvements for construction scenarios.

Conclusions:

• WiFi-FTM is more suitable for challenging construction environments due to its penetration capabilities.
• UWB's effectiveness is limited by dense concrete structures common in construction.
• Combining UWB and WiFi-FTM can enhance the reliability and accuracy of high-precision location services in the construction industry.