Location aware computing using RFID infrastructure

This paper focuses on the possibilities of utilising infrastructural RFIDs for location aware computing. A key to automated computer-aided work is location and situation awareness. This allows the system to operate independently from direct user input, minimising the impact on the original process. For demonstration purposes, a large area tracking system using existing RFID technology and infrastructure is developed and evaluated. As a first possible application, we embed the system into an aircraft cabin. The localisation procedure is based on the coordinates of the RFID transponders detected by the RFID reader, as well as the orientation information measured by a gyroscope. To increased robustness concerning environmental noise and interferences, we estimate a tags readability using modulated power output of the antenna. The average error of our demonstration set-up is below half a meter. Possible use cases range from maintenance assistance to way finding in commercial shops or underground parking lots.