A comparative study of DECT and WLAN signals for indoor localization

While there is more to context than location, localization and positioning must continue to be improved. Location-aware applications, such as Google Latitude, are enjoying great popularity. Location-based applications and services are widely used on platforms such as the iPhone. The localization itself thus remains an issue, especially in indoor scenarios. In this paper we discuss Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) and its potential for positioning and localization. While the technology itself is not new, the application of DECT for localization has so far not been thoroughly investigated, especially for combined indoor and outdoor usage. We have collected and analyzed large data sets of DECT and WLAN fingerprints in urban, sub-urban and rural areas, both for indoor and outdoor situations. We show that DECT could improve the accuracy and robustness of existing localization schemes based on WLAN or GSM.