Resource-Effective and Accurate WLAN Infrastructure Design and Localization Using a Cell-Structure Framework

Large scale WLAN infrastructures contain thousands of access points (APs) that are often deployed in an ad-hoc, empirical and non-optimal configurations. This unstructured approach leads to poor resource utilization and poor localization due to signal overlap and black spots. In this paper, we propose three structured approaches to WLAN infrastructure deployment to achieve high localization accuracy and optimal coverage. We propose, analyze and discuss triangular, square and hexagonal distributions. Our results show that the ad-hoc deployment of AP's is less effective than any of the three structured approaches. Overall, the hexagonal approach is the most effective for localization operations. But surprisingly, when looking at the square distribution, the center part of localization accuracy is 30% higher than the other two structured approaches. In contrast, the ad-hoc distribution requires 50% more APs than hexagonal distribution to achieve effective localization. Our proposed structured approaches allow designers to achieve optimal localization in a cost-effective, resources-effective and accurate manner.