The Map Settings panel in the ArcGIS IPS Setup app allows users to customize and manage how maps behave during survey and positioning workflows. These settings are divided into two categories, Survey Configurations and Positioning Configurations. Each category provides options to enhance performance and accuracy during indoor data collection and real-time positioning.
Survey configurations
Survey configurations are used to define what data is captured during an indoor survey. Survey configuration options include the following:
- Beacon UUID—Allows indoor positioning surveyors to specify the UUID of beacons that the devices scan (listen to) during an indoor positioning survey session. Only signals matching the provided UUID will be collected, helping refine data quality and relevance.
- Show Surveyed Areas—When enabled, this option provides an overlay for the previously surveyed areas on the map. This is useful for identifying coverage gaps and ensuring complete data collection during the survey process.
Positioning configurations
Positioning configurations define how the ArcGIS IPS engine interprets location data for real-time indoor positioning. These settings can be tuned for better accuracy and alignment with your indoor environment. Any Esri or custom mobile app powered by ArcGIS Maps SDKs can consume and use the available configuration set for the indoor positioning data service. Positioning configuration options include the following:
- Path Snapping—When turned on, this feature snaps the user’s estimated position to the nearest indoor pathway (hallway centerlines), providing a more intuitive navigation experience. To use this feature, do the following:
- Ensure indoor pathway features are properly configured for snapping.
- Generate the data for indoor positioning.
- Share the indoor positioning data service.
- Configure the map properties for use with the indoor positioning data service.
- Conduct positioning tests to evaluate performance. During testing, it is recommended that you compare the location accuracy of the blue dot indicator with the snapping feature both turned on and off. This comparison helps assess how effectively the filter improves positional accuracy in indoor environments.
- Path Snapping Distance—Sets how far an estimated position can be from a defined pathway before it is adjusted (or snapped) to align with and follow the path. This value can be set to between 1 and 10 meters (3.2 to 32 feet) using a slider. The units default to those set for the corresponding indoor positioning data service for the selected map. This allows users to control how the ArcGIS IPS engine adjusts position toward known paths.
Note:
To achieve optimal accuracy, choose the path-snapping distance based on the layout of the indoor spaces.
- Narrow areas—Use a lower path-snapping distance to improve perceived blue dot accuracy and reduce positioning errors. These are areas such as corridors, hallways, or aisles less than 10 meters (32 feet) wide.
- Large open spaces—Use a higher path-snapping distance to help stabilize location tracking by keeping the position aligned with common walking paths. These are areas such as lobbies, galleries, or foyers, especially with high ceilings.
Use an empirical approach when defining the path-snapping distance. Test and evaluate the ArcGIS IPS performance based on the guidelines above and fine-tune the setting as needed. Once the optimal path-snapping distance has been determined, update the ArcGIS IPS configurations in the map properties using ArcGIS Pro, and save the map again. To visualize the Pathways feature class, turn on its visibility on the Layers list.
- Use GNSS—When turned on, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) allows the device to use satellite-based location data when available. GNSS is typically limited indoors so relying on GNSS, in an indoor positioning context, means using system-based location services that can sometimes reduce the accuracy of your displayed location (blue dot) near windows or entrances. Satellite signals may behave unpredictably indoors—especially in places with large windows, glass ceilings, or open structures—and lead to incorrect or drifting location data.
Note:
It can be beneficial to turn off GNSS if your indoor positioning system is exclusively indoors and does not require outdoor positioning or navigation. This helps ensure the ArcGIS IPS engine relies only on the indoor positioning methods and avoids interference from satellite signals.
- Use Apple IPS—When turned on, supports the Apple indoor positioning system on iOS devices. When available, Apple indoor positioning can provide enhanced positioning accuracy using iOS-native capabilities.