Real-time localization

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Real-time locating, a term from radio navigation or radio localization , is initially the determination of the location of an identified object at an initially unknown location without further determination of the associated orientation . This allows the location and whereabouts of objects, vehicles or people to be determined and linked to the specific identity.

Localization

The localization requires a well-defined terrestrial coordinate system such as geographic coordinates or the WGS84 system of GPS satellites. The positions to be located can be fixed or moving.

Locating generally takes place continuously, with the time interval between the change in location of a moving object and the position comparison with fixed objects (the reference points ) remaining small. Because the location quickly follows the moving object, it can almost be seen as a measurement of the movement.

Real-time positioning is also used in astronomy, for example for the rapid localization of gamma-ray flashes in order to automatically point other telescopes to this position in the sky , or for determining the orbit of very near-Earth asteroids .

Real-time systems

If the task consists not only of an "off-line" query, that is, a query that is not tied to response times, but rather an "on-line" search query with the expectation of a response within a short latency period (dead time, response time), it is real-time localization for the task and real-time localization systems for the appropriate support systems. These are defined in international standards, such as from the ISO / IEC JTC1 / SC31 committee with the discussion proposal ISO / IEC FDIS 19762-5. Such an RTLS (Real-Time Locating System) as defined by the Joint Technical Committee is dealt with on the specified website. RTLS is a combination of dedicated radio components with a for use in real-time are continuously determined (real-time) compatible software that enables a more times repeated propagation time measurement, the locations of objects, vehicles or people. Individual versions of such systems are also standardized in ISO / IEC 24730-1 ff.

Satellite positioning

Technically, the use of a device for satellite positioning ( GPS ) in connection with a cellular phone ( GSM ) is also a method of real-time localization. Due to a resolution of the standards committee, the standardization of the GPS system originally planned as ISO / IEC 24730-4 was deleted from the planning of this committee without further references to the source. This means that the combination (GPS with GSM) is formally not an RTLS method according to ISO 19762-5.

Cellular location

Technically, the registration of a cell phone with a base station is used for location determination. By recognizing the direction and distance, a location can be determined in polar coordinates in relation to the base station by means of such GSM positioning . Except for the GSM network, this also applies to the other UMTS radio networks and future networks. The resolution of the evaluation depends on the quality of the measuring equipment. As a rule, even if an urban area is densely populated with base stations, no better resolution than with errors of ± 30m is possible. The resolution is even coarser in rural regions.

Informational self-determination

The Informational self-determination conflicts in general with the use and acceptance of systems for location determination.

Every RTLS method according to ISO / IEC 19762-5 is always tied to a fixed facility and to the deliberate taking of an RTLS label. However, when using the system for real-time localization, the participant must expressly and individually give his consent in order to ensure the legality of the application. Therefore, the express consent of those involved is essential for the legal use of technical solutions.

In some publications RTLS (according to ISO / IEC 19762-5) is equated with RFID (according to ISO / IEC 19762-3). This is technical nonsense. However, functions of radio frequency identification (RFID) are a subset of the functions of real-time localization (RTLS). In advertising statements, there is sometimes no clear separation between systems for RTLS and solutions with RFID. Every RFID method with features of a location is always tied to a fixed facility and to the deliberate taking of an RFID label.

Interested parties claim that real-time localization of a person is technically possible without the knowledge of the person concerned. That remains technical nonsense. However, it is possible to localize objects and to deduce from the location of the objects the location at which their wearer or user is located. This applies to cell phones, for example. The method is called GSM location or cell network location. This is not a RTLS procedure according to ISO / IEC 19762-5.

A so-called data retention of the German interior ministries formally fulfills the violation of the basic right of informational self-determination. The case law of the federal courts in 1983 and most recently in 2006 made it clear that the person concerned must be informed at least retrospectively and promptly. This also applies to every location, regardless of the technical aids used. However, this is generally not an RTLS procedure according to ISO / IEC 19762-5. This procedure is always linked to a fixed facility and the deliberate taking of an RTLS label.

Identifiers in identity cards and passports

The FRFID numbers used in the new German ID cards and passports can only be read at close range with the permissible transmission field strengths and therefore do not support RTLS localization in real time.

Real-time indoor localization

Since reliable location using GPS is not possible indoors, other technologies are used for this purpose. The most common location technologies for indoor positioning include Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, WLAN and ultra-wideband (UWB). In contrast to position determination with GPS, these technologies also enable determination of the current floor within a building.

Various applications can be implemented on the basis of indoor position determination. Indoor navigation is particularly well-known and is mainly used in large buildings such as airports, train stations, shopping centers and campus areas. The tracking of assets and people is also possible and is increasingly used by companies. For example, goods in warehouses can be located and visitor flows in buildings can be analyzed.

Individual evidence

  1. website Subcomittee SC31 of the ISO JTC1, Geneva
  2. International Organization for Standardization in Geneva
  3. Location of ground service devices with RFID ( Memento of the original from September 23, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.pdsgmbh.de
  4. Locating and determining position in mobile communications
  5. BVerfG 1 BvR 209, 269, 362, 420, 440, 484/83, judgment of December 15, 1983 = BVerfGE 65, 1 (census)
  6. BVerfG, decision of the 1st Senate of April 4, 2006 The search for a grid is unconstitutional ( memento of the original of September 30, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.bverfg.de
  7. Indoor positioning. Retrieved December 6, 2019 .