The ArcGIS IPS Setup app allows you to plan and perform survey recordings inside facilities to collect location data in areas where you want to enable ArcGIS IPS. Survey recordings can be uploaded from IPS Setup to an ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise organization and converted to indoor positioning data using the Generate Indoor Positioning Dataset tool in ArcGIS Pro. If you have precise beacon positions and detailed wall information of the facility, an alternative approach is to generate indoor positioning data using the Generate Indoor Positioning Dataset tool without surveying the facility. Once you share an Indoor Positioning Data Service and make a web map indoor positioning system (IPS)-aware, you can test positioning accuracy using the IPS Setup app. You can also plan, configure, and deploy beacons as well as monitor deployed beacons to ensure a consistent performance.
Your real-time position is displayed as a blue dot on the screen of the smart device. IPS Setup uses Wi-Fi or, more commonly, Bluetooth beacon-based fingerprinting and Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) readings from multiple Wi-Fi access points or beacons (network sources) that are measured asynchronously to determine your location. To ensure higher precision, RSSI estimations are supported by motion sensors built into smartphones and some tablets, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer.
During the signal survey, radio frequency measurements are collected. This information is used by the Generate Indoor Positioning Dataset tool in ArcGIS Pro to generate positioning information, which is then used in the IPS Setup app to provide real-time positioning. Positioning is calculated by comparing the beacons’ or Wi-Fi access points’ signal strength observed at certain locations with the reference data (fingerprints) stored in the Indoor Positioning Data Service.
IPS Setup allows you to collect quality recordings that can be used to perform a quality assessment of your indoor positioning by running tools in the Quality Assessment toolset.
Tip:
Use the same device to conduct the entire survey. If multiple devices must be used, use the same brand and model. Sensors differ from device to device and may result in different levels of precision. When processing survey recordings, the Generate Indoor Positioning Dataset tool automatically detects if different devices were used during data collection and provides a warning about the risk of lower positioning accuracy.
IPS Setup components
ArcGIS IPS Setup includes the following components:
- Map list—View map details and settings, set favorites, load maps, and access the recordings list and profile menu.
- Map view—Visualize floor plans, switch between floors in a facility, test the positioning accuracy, and access the Survey mode. Use the layer filter to customize the features visualized on the map and enable creation and modification of beacon features.
- Survey mode—Survey indoor positioning radio data at an indoor site to build a record of trajectories, survey points, and locations, along with their corresponding geographic coordinates. Before conducting a survey, you can plan the survey path in one of the following ways:
- Create a survey path in IPS Setup using Plan mode—Sketch paths and add survey points to build a survey route before recording.
- Create a survey path in ArcGIS Pro and include it in the web map—Use existing paths to complete planned or surveyed recording paths with IPS Setup.
- Beacon deployment—Plan and deploy Bluetooth beacons throughout an indoor environment to support accurate indoor positioning. Use the Generate Beacon Placement Plan tool to ensure appropriate beacon density, placement, and signal coverage. Use the IPS_Beacons_Inventory table to streamline beacon configuration and reduce manual data entry during beacon deployment.
- Beacon maintenance—Monitor and maintain deployed beacons to ensure reliable system performance over time. Check device status, battery levels, and replace or service beacons as needed to preserve positioning accuracy.