Performance evaluation of Chirp Spread Spectrum ranging for indoor embedded navigation systems

Abstract

Wireless distance measurement techniques based on portable embedded platforms are expected to play a key role in several industrial and domestic applications. In this paper the ranging accuracy of a commercial Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) kit is evaluated experimentally in a real-world context. The proposed analysis provides more precise and exhaustive information than what it is usually reported in the technical literature. In fact, this paper is specifically focused on performance evaluation and it deals with the case of short-range indoor scenarios in both Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) repeatable conditions. The resulting analysis represents the first step towards the design of a custom indoor embedded navigation system for a smart rollator assisting impaired people to move safely in an indoor public environment.