Study
Innovation & MarketsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Leveraging Existing Wi-Fi Infrastructure for Real-Time Asset Tracking

A real-time location and tracking system can be effectively implemented using existing Wi-Fi networks, offering a cost-efficient solution for diverse applications.

InTech eBooks · 2010

01

Key Findings

  • 01A fully functional item real-time location and tracking system was achieved with a non-critical error margin of less than 3 meters.
  • 02The system effectively reuses existing client network infrastructure or low-cost Wi-Fi equipment.
  • 03The distributed communication architecture improved overall performance and reliability, enabling simultaneous multi-terminal access.
  • 04End-users in a retail setting classified the real-time and historical tools as valuable.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Prioritize leveraging existing infrastructure and modular design principles to create cost-effective and adaptable tracking solutions.

How to apply

When designing asset management or location-aware systems, investigate the feasibility of using existing Wi-Fi networks as the primary tracking mechanism.

Project actions

  • 01Consider how your design can utilize existing technology to reduce costs.
  • 02Think about the flexibility of your system to adapt to different user needs.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop a functional, real-time item location and tracking system with a maximum error margin of less than 3 meters, utilizing existing Wi-Fi infrastructure or low-cost equipment.
MethodSystem Design and Implementation
ProcedureThe project involved designing and implementing a Wi-Fi based real-time location and tracking system. This included developing a distributed communication architecture for computation across distinct machines and enabling simultaneous multi-terminal access to real-time analysis and historical statistical software. The system was tested in retail and sports (soccer) scenarios.
ContextRetail and Sports Analytics

Variables

IV["Type of Wi-Fi infrastructure used (existing vs. low-brand equipment)"]
DV["Real-time location accuracy (error margin)","System performance (reliability, efficiency)","Flexibility for diverse applications"]
CV["Wi-Fi signal strength","Network congestion","Physical environment (e.g., size of space)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Demonstrates cost-effective solution using existing infrastructure.
  • +Highlights flexibility and scalability of distributed architecture.

Limitations

The accuracy of Wi-Fi tracking can be affected by the density of access points and signal interference. The system's performance might degrade in large or complex environments.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability could be enhanced by repeating tests across different network configurations and environmental conditions. Validity is supported by the successful implementation and positive end-user feedback in distinct scenarios.

Think critically

How might the reliability and accuracy of this Wi-Fi-based tracking system be affected by different network densities and environmental factors?

05

Design Principles

"Ubiquitous infrastructure integration for enhanced accessibility and reduced cost."

This approach democratizes advanced tracking capabilities, making them accessible to businesses and organizations that might not have the budget for dedicated, proprietary systems. By utilizing ubiquitous Wi-Fi, designers can create solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing environments, reducing implementation friction and accelerating adoption.

06

What This Means for Your Design

You can track things in real-time using the Wi-Fi that's already in a building, which is cheaper than buying special equipment.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the cost-effectiveness of your chosen tracking technology.
  • 2.Use it to justify the use of existing infrastructure in your design proposal.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2010). Real-Time Wireless Location and Tracking System with Motion Pattern Detection. InTech eBooks. https://doi.org/10.5772/9270 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/124f914a-f637-4ac4-bdb3-bc4b0b12cf30/leveraging-existing-wi-fi-infrastructure-for-real-time-asset-tracking

Paragraph starter

The research by Abreu et al. (2010) demonstrates the feasibility of implementing real-time location and tracking systems by leveraging existing Wi-Fi infrastructure, achieving an accuracy of less than 3 meters with low-cost equipment. This approach offers a significant advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness and ease of deployment, making advanced tracking capabilities accessible for various applications.

09

Source

InTech eBooks

Real-Time Wireless Location and Tracking System with Motion Pattern Detection

journal · 2010

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about leveraging existing wi-fi infrastructure for real-time asset tracking?
Prioritize leveraging existing infrastructure and modular design principles to create cost-effective and adaptable tracking solutions. Evidence: InTech eBooks (2010).
Why does "Leveraging Existing Wi-Fi Infrastructure for Real-Time Asset Tracking" matter for design?
This approach democratizes advanced tracking capabilities, making them accessible to businesses and organizations that might not have the budget for dedicated, proprietary systems. By utilizing ubiquitous Wi-Fi, designers can create solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing environments, reducing implementation friction and accelerating adoption.
How can designers apply this research?
Prioritize leveraging existing infrastructure and modular design principles to create cost-effective and adaptable tracking solutions.
What were the main findings?
A fully functional item real-time location and tracking system was achieved with a non-critical error margin of less than 3 meters.. The system effectively reuses existing client network infrastructure or low-cost Wi-Fi equipment.. The distributed communication architecture improved overall performance and reliability, enabling simultaneous multi-terminal access.. End-users in a retail setting classified the real-time and historical tools as valuable.
What research method was used?
System Design and Implementation.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2010 journal from InTech eBooks.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing asset management or location-aware systems, investigate the feasibility of using existing Wi-Fi networks as the primary tracking mechanism.
What are the limitations?
The system was designed without strict error-free requirements, implying potential for non-critical errors. The effectiveness might vary based on Wi-Fi signal strength and network congestion.
Is there evidence that tracking affects design outcomes?
The research successfully created a cost-effective real-time tracking system using Wi-Fi, achieving accuracy within 3 meters and proving flexible for various applications like retail and sports analytics. This approach democratizes advanced tracking capabilities, making them accessible to businesses and organizations t Source: InTech eBooks (2010).
Where does this leveraging existing research apply?
Retail and Sports Analytics It sits within innovation & markets research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

tracking design research · evidence on tracking · does tracking improve design outcomes · leveraging existing studies for designers · tracking and leveraging existing findings · innovation & markets research evidence