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Oldenlame t1_j0gfrwf wrote

Google has been using cell tower locations and wifi hotspot data to improve positioning for years.

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Dragon_Fisting t1_j0gjrzx wrote

The difference is that this system is sending its own triangulating signals. Google just uses the cell tower or access point you're connected to and approximates your location based on the range of that signal.

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Oldenlame t1_j0gmrby wrote

Yes, in the experiment they are adding an additional layer to the system while Google does the same thing with already available resources. Also Google through Android uses more than the tower and access point you are using, it uses any in range as well as gps. It's a evolving technology called SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). As an added benefit Google then uses phone location data of Android users to map traffic patterns in real time. Early GPS and older LORAN systems did kind of the same thing by listening for airport beacons and time signal radio transmitters as their signal contained their identity and their location was precise and publicly available. Makes me wonder if it would be worth it to have a receiver for airport beacons and maritime radio buoys to boost localization.

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VincentNacon t1_j0gdva0 wrote

To put in perspective... That's better than Apple's AirTag in terms of accuracy.

(The ultrawideband tech in AirTag is around 7 to 13 cm.)

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LegitimateCopy7 t1_j0ghnvc wrote

who would've guessed, beacons not being thousands of kilometers away can give you higher precision.

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nemom t1_j0gsh67 wrote

It's all about coverage. They set up six base stations to cover a plot of land the size of a normal front lawn in the suburbs. Four satellites can cover several US States / European Countries.

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Leiryn t1_j0icsi9 wrote

If you have clean line of sight sure, which is pretty much impossible with ground based triangulation lol. Also the military has much higher accuracy with sats than you do

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nemom t1_j0goymm wrote

660 sqm ~ 7100 sqft ~ 85 ft square... So, they set up six base stations in a small parking lot, and the best they could do was 10cm?

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Spiritual-Compote-18 t1_j0gdusm wrote

Ground based GPS sounds good, but it it as effective compare to its space version.

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jargo3 t1_j0gif0t wrote

Well it is more accurate and I am guessing it uses less power.

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southpark t1_j0j0c7o wrote

The newest access points (from Aruba) incorporate integrated GPS self locating AP technology and indoor Fine Time Measurement (FTM) capability that will allow for highly accurate indoor location and wayfinding services for wireless clients. The Open Locate standardizes how this information is shared with client devices/applications.

I would expect this to become commonplace over the next few years as WiFi coverage is pretty ubiquitous.

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