Comparative Analysis of Localization Techniques Used in LBS

Abstract

In the past two decades, there has been rapid growth in the number of mobile devices. Most of these mobile devices can sense different types of wireless signals (e.g., GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.). Therefore, a mobile device can obtain its own location fix in different ways. Location capable mobile devices led to applications that utilize user location, which are known as Location-based services (LBS)s. LBSs have grown rapidly with the increase in the number of mobile devices and are expected to grow more in the future. In order to have A LBS, the user’s location is required. User location can be obtained using different localization techniques. This paper reviews the localization techniques used in LBS. Then, a comparative analysis has been performed by discussing the strength and weaknesses of each of the localization techniques. Consequently, this research work discusses the type of applications that appropriately fit each localization technique.