Available for an ArcGIS organization licensed with the ArcGIS IPS extension.
You can configure Wi-Fi-based indoor positioning as an alternative to Bluetooth beacon-based indoor positioning. Wi-Fi-based indoor positioning typically does not require dedicated infrastructure, such as additional Wi-Fi access points, if one or more Wi-Fi networks are already available within an indoor environment.
Note:
Depending on the characteristics of indoor spaces and the distribution of Wi-Fi access points, you may need to make adjustments, amendments, or modifications to existing Wi-Fi networks to achieve the desired indoor positioning performance across all defined indoor positioning areas. It is recommended that you consult an ArcGIS IPS expert.
The ArcGIS IPS positioning engine uses Wi-Fi signals to estimate indoor positions. Performance and accuracy of the blue dot indicator is similar between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; however, there are significant differences in the setup and configuration process for each. For example, ArcGIS IPS does not support survey-less generation of Wi-Fi positioning data, meaning a radio signal survey is required to enable ArcGIS IPS when relying on Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth signals.
Differences in the setup and configuration process for Wi-Fi indoor positioning for each platform are described further in the sections below.
Wi-Fi indoor positioning on the Android platform
When using a survey-based method on the Android platform, the enablement and setup process are nearly identical for both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi methods. For both methods, you must adjust the Survey Radio Type setting before conducting a survey.
Note:
The default configuration of IPS Setup enables scanning for Bluetooth signals during the radio survey phase. Change this configuration in the map settings when scanning for Wi-Fi signals.
To use Wi-Fi-based indoor positioning, a device configuration change is required for Android. Default operating system settings have a Wi-Fi scan throttling restriction that limits the number of scans for Wi-Fi signals a device can perform to four scans every 120 seconds, which can be done in quick succession or distributed evenly across the time frame. Because the ArcGIS IPS engine produces a position calculation every second, this restriction prevents sufficient scanning for signals and causes performance issues. You need to activate the Android Developer options and disable the Wi-Fi scan throttling setting to ensure adequate scanning and optimal ArcGIS IPS performance when relying on Wi-Fi signals.
Wi-Fi indoor positioning on the iOS platform
When using a survey-based method on the iOS platform, the Wi-Fi scanning capability needed for the signal survey (reference signal data collection) enablement phase requires third-party tools such as the Apple Indoor Survey app.
To enable Wi-Fi-based ArcGIS IPS on iOS you must enable Apple indoor maps and the corresponding Wi-Fi-based indoor positioning solution before ArcGIS IPS can interpret Apple indoor positioning estimations and show the blue dot indicator on an Esri map. To enable indoor positioning on iOS devices, an organization must exist in the Apple Business Register. Once created, the register account can be enabled for indoor maps before the location (address) and venue type are defined.
Next, submit the Indoor Mapping Data Format (IMDF) data so the indoor maps of your facilities can be reviewed. As ArcGIS IPS users typically have their buildings and facilities mapped with the ArcGIS Indoors Information Model, the data must be converted to IMDF. Transformed ArcGIS Indoors map data (in IMDF format) can be imported into the IMDF Sandbox, a tool for visualization, archive inspection, editing, and experimentation with IMDF in the register, as well as verifying that there are no critical errors.
Organizations that own large public and private indoors spaces (such as airports, hospitals, arenas, universities, private office spaces, and so on) can register their organizations for the Indoors Maps Program, convert their ArcGIS Indoors data models, using industry standard tools, validate the indoor maps in the IMDF Sandbox, enable Apple indoor positioning, and display indoor position estimations in indoor positioning system (IPS)-enabled ArcGIS products and tools such as ArcGIS Indoors and ArcGIS Field Maps.
IMDF archive review may take a few attempts or iterations if you need to go back and forth to fix any errors that may be highlighted by the sandbox checks. Data checks are automatically done, and basic editing capabilities are available in the sandbox, so if the map geometry or attribute errors are minor, it is possible to fix them on the spot and avoid repeated data translation attempts.
When the indoor maps are verified and certified by the IMDF Sandbox (it may take up to 48 hours and is completed automatically), the signal survey phase can be initiated. Use the Apple Indoor Survey app to perform signal survey. The survey workflow differs slightly between the IPS Setup app and the Apple Indoor Survey app. While the IPS Setup app requires planning of survey paths before they are put into effect, the Apple Indoor Survey app allows the visited locations to be defined and verified on the map as the surveyor visits them in real time.
After the Apple indoor survey is complete, the data upload occurs directly from the Indoor Survey app and the processing follows automatically (it typically takes up to 24 hours). When processing is complete, the Indoor Survey app indicates that indoor positioning can be tested. You can do this directly in the app or in the IPS Setup app, as Apple indoor positioning is automatically picked up by the ArcGIS IPS positioning engine on iOS devices.