TABLE OF CONTENTS Wireless technologies have advanced significantly in recent years, particularly those based on the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. Wireless technologies are a very attractive networking option in light of dramatic improvements in speed, usability, security, and mobility. The convenience of being able to deploy a network without the need to install cables is also a great advantage of wireless networking.
Location technologies in this area share some similarities with those used in cellular networks, the same basic primitives of location location measurements can be used for WiFi. However, WiFi presents a new set of challenges. In particular, ad hoc network architectures present difficult problems for location determination.
In this chapter, location determination in WiFi networks is examined. Basic technology options and how they can be applied in both infrastructure and ad hoc variants are discussed. These options are described with the LIS and ALE architecture in mind.
The 802.11 series of standards have made wireless network connectivity accessible for a great many people. Wireless LANs provide an alternative to wired Ethernet, and offer many advantages, particularly in terms of ease of use and ubiquity. Wireless LANs can be found in many workplaces and public areas for instance, a great many airports make a WLAN available to people awaiting flights.
Wireless LANs fall into two categories: infrastructure-based and ad hoc. Infrastructure WLANs rely on access points (APs) to provide a connection to a wired LAN, as well as a central point for communication. Public wireless hotspots, such as those at...
