Introduction

Location Engine connected devices that use Wi-Fi MAC address scanning (i.e. Edge, Fusion, etc) to determine their location use public Access Point (AP) datasets by default. These commercial databases are fantastic for locating devices in public areas with lots of fixed Wi-Fi routers, but can lose accuracy or fail to gain a fix altogether on private property. Additionally, because public AP datasets are 2 dimensional, they lack context as to floor level or other local attributes which can help people find an asset indoors. 

Private Wi-Fi lookup APs let you build and maintain your own dataset of MAC addresses that may or may not be in the public Wi-Fi database and assign them a location and metadata attributes. By importing these private APs, your compatible devices can recognise them on-site, and use them for location-based asset tracking.

Location Engine Private Lookup Settings

To make use of the Private Wi-Fi Lookup dataset, the location engine settings should be updated accordingly. To enable this, be sure to select check on Private Wi-Fi Lookups in the Location Engine settings, define the Private Wi-Fi Lookup Dataset in the dropdown, in conjunction with any other required Location Engine Lookup services.

The example below shows Lookup Services settings that prioritise Private Wi-Fi Lookups. This configuration is for demonstration purposes only, and actual settings will vary depending on your solution requirements and may combine Wi-Fi, GNSS, and Cell ID location methods to achieve the desired location solving.

In conjunction with the Wi-Fi and Cell ID Lookups, the Lookup Services settings enable the user to modify the following Private Wi-Fi Lookup settings:

• Set the Private Wi-Fi lookup dataset.
   
• Select the Private Wi-Fi lookup algorithm type. 
  
  
  • Trilateration: This calculates the device's estimated poisition by measuring signal strength from multiple nearby Wi-Fi access points, and averaging the distances between them. This method provides a smooth, interpolated poistion.
     
  • Snap To: This places the device's position directly on the strongest nearby access point based on received signal strength indicator (RSSI), rather than averaging multiple signals. This approach improves positional accuracy in fixed of structured environments, where assets are expected to remain close to known access points. 
     
• Select the Wi-Fi and Cell ID lookup package options.

What's Next?

• Learn more about the Digital Matter Wi-Fi Beacon and how this can help improve your indoor tracking solution. 
   
• Find out how to Bulk Import Private Access Points. 
   
• Read about setting up Private Wi-Fi Location Engine Settings.
   
• Discover what Advanced Private Wi-Fi Scans can do.