A Survey of Positioning Systems Using Visible LED Lights

Abstract

As Global Positioning System (GPS) cannot provide satisfying performance in indoor environments, indoor positioning technology, which utilizes indoor wireless signals instead of GPS signals, has grown rapidly in recent years. Meanwhile, visible light communication (VLC) using light devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been deemed to be a promising candidate in the heterogeneous wireless networks that may collaborate with radio frequencies (RF) wireless networks. In particular, light-fidelity has a great potential for deployment in future indoor environments because of its high throughput and security advantages. This article provides a comprehensive study of a novel positioning technology based on visible white LED lights, which has attracted much attention from both academia and industry. The essential characteristics and principles of this system are deeply discussed, and relevant positioning algorithms and designs are classified and elaborated. This article undertakes a thorough investigation into current LED-based indoor positioning systems and compares their performance through many aspects, such as test environment, accuracy, and cost. It presents indoor hybrid positioning systems among VLC and other systems (e.g., inertial sensors and RF systems). We also review and classify outdoor VLC positioning applications for the first time. Finally, this article surveys major advances as well as open issues, challenges, and future research directions in VLC positioning systems.

Indoor visible light communications, networking, and applications

“…In this review paper, we address a few important research areas in indoor VLC: physical layer algorithm design, cross-layer design, and VLC applications. Compared with recent published survey papers [61][62][63][64], this paper focuses on reviewing modulation schemes, network designs for multiuser VLC systems, and indoor positioning and tracking schemes using VLC. These schemes are compared with published algorithms as performance benchmarks.…”

Visible light‐based indoor localization using k‐means clustering and linear regression

“…Visible light positioning is relatively new technique when compared with RF‐based positioning system; however, in literature, several visible light‐based positioning techniques exist. These techniques can be broadly classified into five categories, namely, proximity, scene analysis (also known as fingerprinting), angulation/literation, image sensor‐based, and hybrid techniques . Proximity is the simplest technique used for positioning; however, it is not very precise.…”

“…Hybrid techniques for indoor positioning are proposed in literature, which uses RSS‐TDOA, beam scanning with scene analysis, machine learning with scene analysis, fingerprint with extended Kalman filter, two‐stage RSS and AOA, and proximity‐RSS. Table summarizes the indoor VLC positioning system …”

“…These techniques can be broadly classified into five categories, namely, proximity, scene analysis (also known as fingerprinting), angulation/literation, image sensor-based, and hybrid techniques. 3,4 Proximity is the simplest technique used for positioning; however, it is not very precise. Light emitting diodes associated to the positioning system transmit their IDs, which basically correspond to certain area of interest.…”

“…Table 1 summarizes the indoor VLC positioning system. 3,4 This paper introduces a novel technique for indoor localization employing unsupervised and supervised machine learning tools on RSS database. Light emitting diodes are used as transmitters, which are placed symmetrically on the ceiling of the room.…”