WPI Precision Personnel Locator System - Evaluation by First Responders

J. Duckworth, D. Cyganski, S. Makarov, W. Michalson, J. Orr, V. Amendolare, J. Coyne, H. Daempfling, D. Hubelbank, H. Parikh and B. Woodacre

Abstract:	This paper describes the latest developments in the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Precision Personnel Locator (PPL) project. The RF-based PPL system is being developed for tracking of first responders and other personnel in indoor environments. The system assumes no existing infrastructure, no pre-characterization of the area of operation and is designed for spectral compliance. Recent testing with wider bandwidth (150MHz) ranging signals has shown sub-meter positioning accuracy of a transmitter even in difficult indoor environments with high multi-path despite all receivers being placed outside the building As part of the testing and evaluation, firefighters from the local Worcester fire department provided feedback on various systems aspects: the suitability of the locator devices worn by the first responders, the incident commander’s display unit, the improvement in situational awareness, and the suitability for both search and rescue operations. The system has also been extended to provide basic physiological information from the users, and a preliminary evaluation is also included.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2007) September 25 - 28, 2007 Fort Worth Convention Center Fort Worth, TX
Pages:	1427 - 1435
Cite this article:	Duckworth, J., Cyganski, D., Makarov, S., Michalson, W., Orr, J., Amendolare, V., Coyne, J., Daempfling, H., Hubelbank, D., Parikh, H., Woodacre, B., "WPI Precision Personnel Locator System - Evaluation by First Responders," Proceedings of the 20th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2007), Fort Worth, TX, September 2007, pp. 1427-1435.
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