802.11

802.11az, also known as Next Generation Positioning (NGP), is a new standard under development by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group.

It aims to enable accurate indoor positioning using Wi-Fi signals.

NGP uses the time-of-flight (ToF) technique to measure the distance between a mobile device and Wi-Fi access points (APs) in an indoor environment. By measuring the time it takes for a signal to travel from the AP to the device, NGP can determine the distance between them. This information can then be used to calculate the position of the device.

NGP also includes features such as angle-of-arrival (AoA) and angle-of-departure (AoD), which enable the device to determine the direction of incoming Wi-Fi signals. This can be used to improve the accuracy of the position calculation and provide additional location-related services.

The NGP standard is expected to offer several benefits over existing positioning technologies, such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Unlike GPS, which is not effective in indoor environments, NGP is designed specifically for indoor positioning. Additionally, NGP is expected to provide higher accuracy than BLE and support a larger number of devices.

  1. Asset tracking: NGP can be used to track the location of assets such as equipment, tools, and inventory in large indoor spaces such as warehouses, hospitals, and factories.

  2. Indoor navigation: NGP can be used to provide indoor navigation services to users in venues such as shopping malls, airports, and convention centers, where GPS signals may not be reliable.

  3. Location-based services: NGP can be used to provide location-based services such as targeted advertising, personalized recommendations, and real-time promotions to users based on their location within a venue.

  4. Emergency response: NGP can be used to provide first responders with accurate location information in emergency situations, enabling them to respond more quickly and efficiently.

  5. Healthcare: NGP can be used to track the location of patients and medical equipment in hospitals, enabling more efficient use of resources and improving patient care.

NGP is still under development, and it is not yet clear when it will be widely available. However, it has the potential to significantly improve indoor positioning and enable new location-based services in a variety of industries, including retail, healthcare, and manufacturing.

 

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