Wireless Location Determination: Using Existing 802.11 Wireless Networks to Determine a Users Location

Student's Name

Travis Calvert, Minnesota State University, Mankato

1st Student's Major

Computer Information Science

1st Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Students' Professional Biography

Travis Calvert is a senior at Minnesota State University, Mankato majoring in computer science. He is the proud recipient of a 2002-2003 National Science Foundation scholarship and a 2003-2004 Department of Computer Science scholarship. His primary research interest has been in using pre-existing 802.11 wireless networks for location determination techniques. After graduating from North Iowa Area Community College in1993, he has worked as an Electronics Technician, and is currently employed as a Robotics Maintenance Technician.

Mentor's Name

Steven Case

Mentor's Department

Computer Information Science

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Abstract

The ability to determine a user’s location through an existing 802.11 wireless network has vast implications in the area of context-aware and pervasive computing. Such abilities have been developed mainly in the Linux environment to date. To maximize its usefulness, a location determination system was developed for the more dominant Windows operation system. While being able to operate outdoors as well as indoors, this system succeeds where traditional GPS (Global Positioning Systems) fail, namely indoor environments. This system could benefit the large number of existing wireless networks and requires no additional hardware; only a few simple software downloads. The ability of a user to determine his/her location with the click of a button and begin using the services in the immediate vicinity or be shown a map leading to the desired area/item (a book in a library for example), are but two illustrations of the benefits that a wireless location determination system serve.

Recommended Citation

Calvert, Travis (2004) "Wireless Location Determination: Using Existing 802.11 Wireless Networks to Determine a Users Location," Journal of Undergraduate Research at Minnesota State University, Mankato: Vol. 4, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56816/2378-6949.1155
Available at: https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/jur/vol4/iss1/3

Creative Commons License

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