LOCALIZATION AND EXPLORATION FOR INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS 

The research work of Lopsi group focuses on Local Positioning Systems (LPS), which are similar to GPS in functionality but LPS must operate in places where GPS is not available, such as inside buildings and difficult areas outdoors. The research activity of the group includes fundamental studies such as signal processing, mathematical techniques for accurate positioning, design and implementation of prototypes, and finally, the study of location-based services (LBS) that can be offered by these pervasive technologies to people.

At present, Lopsi designs and performs research on several kinds of LPS systems:

1) Localization of people in indoor areas with RF and inertial sensors: We work in Local Positioning Systems (LPS) capable of locating, tracking, and guiding people in indoor environments, where GPS devices are not operative. We do so by combining RF technology (like RFID or UWB) and foot-mounted inertial measurement units (IMUs), with pedestrian dead reckoning techniques (PDR) or Bayesian state estimation. Current applications of this system are the development of Assistance Systems for people or additional Ambient Intelligence and Location-Based Services. We were awarded with the first prize in the international 2012 EvAAL competition.

2) High accuracy 3D positioning with ultrasonic technology: We use ultrasound for high accuracy 3D positioning in small areas, by using multilateration techniques with the times of flight of ultrasonic signals propagating from a set of beacons to a mobile node. For accurate range estimation and multiple transducer capability, the ultrasonic signals are digitally modulated and encoded with the orthogonal codes used in CDMA communication systems, essentially translating the GPS design to an ultrasonic system. Our ultrasonic positioning prototype achieves a typical accuracy of a few centimeters in a space of a some cubic meters. This technology is useful for robotic and industrial applications, as well as in the development of personal aids for precise positioning tasks.

In the future, our research will focus on improving localization techniques, the fusion of alternative location technologies, and in cooperative localization between users in order to achieve an accurate positioning and navigation, that must be robust and available for people in complex and large buildings. We will develop experimental demonstrators using common platforms such as smartphones.

The problems and difficulties is the short-medium term are primarily of personnel (reduced number of research students) and funding for general costs (significant financial cuts in projects), however there aren’t special needs for large-scale scientific equipment, or research space or administrative support, because it is currently covered by CAR center.

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