Inferring Wi-Fi Angle-of-Arrival from Received Signal Strength Distribution

R. Mohd Sabri and T. Arslan

Abstract:	We present a technique for inferring Wi-Fi signal’s angle-of-arrival (AoA). Specifically, the technique estimates angular direction of an access point from a collection of GPS-tagged received signal strength measurements gathered through network stumbling. Radio waves propagate in all directions from an omni-directional antenna. Along the direction of wave propagation, the strength of radio signal decreases as it travels away from the transmitter. By correlating the network stumbling trajectory with the received signal strength characteristics, an estimate of the direction of wave propagation can be inferred. A steep gradient along relatively short stumbling path implies trajectory is parallel to the direction of wave propagation and can be used to infer AoA with high degree of accuracy. A relatively flatter received signal strength gradient implies the stumbling trajetory vector is made up of orthogonal component relative to direction of wave propagation. This results in two possible AoA estimates. By combining several AoAs along non co-linear orthogonal paths, the correct AoA can be inferred being the angles that converge into common direction.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 24th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2011) September 20 - 23, 2011 Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon Portland, OR
Pages:	1731 - 1736
Cite this article:	Sabri, R. Mohd, Arslan, T., "Inferring Wi-Fi Angle-of-Arrival from Received Signal Strength Distribution," Proceedings of the 24th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2011), Portland, OR, September 2011, pp. 1731-1736.
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