Experiences with techniques and sensors for smartphone positioning

Abstract In this paper, current alternative techniques and sensors embedded in smart mobile devices for localization are reviewed. Firstly, the evolution of smartphone development since the first IBM phone in 1992 and the introduction of the term ‘smart-phone’ in 2000 until present is discussed. The main part of the paper deals then with the sensors and positioning techniques where an overview about the topologies and positioning methods and their applicability for smartphone positioning is provided. The most important sensors and techniques are then elaborated and discussed in detail. They include MEMS-based sensors and wireless positioning options. The wireless options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and UWB which may be employed together with MEMS-based inertial sensors. Also the use of the smartphone camera and LiDAR is briefly discussed. Moreover, the most applicable sensor fusion approaches including Kalman filtering, particle filter and map matching are also analyzed. In concluding the paper, new ways in using smartphones for science based on different application examples are showcased.