Precision Positioning for Smart Logistics Using Ultra-Wideband Technology-Based Indoor Navigation: A Review

Abstract

Logistics is an important driver for the competitiveness of industries and material supply. The development of smart logistics, powered by precise positioning and communication technologies can significantly improve the efficiency of logistics. The emerging technology of ultra-wideband (UWB) precision positioning has attracted significant attention throughout the previous decade owing to its promising capabilities over other radio frequency-based indoor localisation systems. In addition, UWB is characterised by large bandwidth and data rate, short message length, low transmission power and high penetration capability, which are all favourable for indoor positioning applications. However, UWB localisation technology faces several challenges that are somewhat similar to other technologies, such as mitigating errors that originate from non-line-of-sight (NLOS) situations and tackling signal interference in dense environments, and when required to operate in extreme conditions. This paper reviews the most recent advances made in UWB positioning systems over the last five years, with a focus on high-ranking articles. In addition to going through more conventional solutions to UWB challenges, modern solutions, which involve the use of machine learning and sensor data fusion, are discussed. We highlight the most promising findings of the recently implemented and foreseen UWB positioning systems by providing a summary of each reviewed article. Additionally, we address a major challenge that faces the UWB positioning technology: NLOS situations, focusing on some proposed remedies such as multi-sensor fusion and machine learning. As an application, this study introduces how UWB technology promotes smart logistics by offering indoor positioning to improve efficiencies in the delivery of goods from the source to the customer. Furthermore, it demonstrates the benefits of UWB technology for accurate positioning and tracking of both stationary and moving items, and machinery in an indoor logistics environment.

A Low-Cost Foot-Placed UWB and IMU Fusion-Based Indoor Pedestrian Tracking System for IoT Applications

“…The UWB positioning system works similarly to any other wireless sensor network (WSN) [ 16 ] in which some sensors should be deployed on known coordinates and some kept floating on unknown coordinates. The sensors with known coordinates are called anchors ( ) while the sensors with unknown coordinates are called tags ( ).…”

“…Firstly, the anchors’ coordinates can be measured manually using a precise instrument such as a handheld laser range finder to decrease human error. Secondly, the ranges can be measured among anchors and tags using the two-way ranging (TWR) method [ 16 ]. Finally, an algebraic trilateration technique [ 16 ] can be applied to calculate the position of a tag as presented in (1) and (2).…”

“…This scheme has the advantage of realizing an accurate positioning but using too many anchors increases the system cost and requires an optimal survey to set up anchors in the frequent NLOS region. Elsanhoury et al [ 16 ] suggest a sensor fusion to trade off the UWB indoor NLOS instances with other systems’ observations, such as PDR. The sensor fusion seems more practical for real-time indoor pedestrian tracking as it does not require complex and deep processing to distinguish and mitigate the NLOS instances in the UWB position measurements.…”

Indoor UWB localisation: LocURa4IoT testbed and dataset presentation

“…UWB is expected to play a role in the home environment (interaction with the house, the car [1], etc.) as well as in industrial settings [3]. The presence of multiple UWB devices highlights the need for MAC layer enhancements, among other things.…”

An Efficient IAKF Approach for Indoor Positioning Drift Correction

“…UWB indoor positioning systems are employed in various applications [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], such as unmanned smart object–finding systems in supermarkets, navigation of airport terminal lobbies and complex station maps, and security positioning for elderly care centers, due to their high transmission rate and low power consumption. Elsanhoury [ 21 ] presented a compact review focusing on using multi-sensor fusion-based systems in specific applications. The researcher designed a concise tutorial for researchers seeking an overall view of UWB positioning technology.…”