Title: Analysis and modelling of iBeacon wireless signal propagation in multiple environments

Authors: Luchuan Zeng; Zhifei He; Zherui Tan; Renliang Geng; Menghua Liu; Linglin Xia; Deyu Lin

Addresses: School of Software, Nanchang University, Jiangxi 330047, China ' School of Software, Nanchang University, Jiangxi 330047, China ' School of Software, Nanchang University, Jiangxi 330047, China ' School of Software, Nanchang University, Jiangxi 330047, China ' School of Software, Nanchang University, Jiangxi 330047, China ' School of Software, Nanchang University, Jiangxi 330047, China ' School of Software, Nanchang University, Jiangxi 330047, China

Abstract: iBeacon positioning accuracy is usually influenced by its signal quality in practical environments. The purpose of this study is to provide users with a reasonable iBeacon networking deployment scheme to improve the accuracy of positioning. We explore the characteristics of iBeacon signal propagation and existing propagation path loss in common environments (corridor, playground, classroom). Firstly, the changes of received signal strength indicate (RSSI) value of iBeacon wireless signal under three environments are collected, and then the signal samples are filtered numerically. Secondly, a simplified single-slope and a double-slope propagation models are used to simulate iBeacon signal propagation. Finally, the models are used to carry out regression analysis on the sample data under different scenarios, and the best applicable scenario of the two models is determined according to the results. In conclusions, based on the simulation results of the propagation model, this study provides some suggestions for users to deploy iBeacons indoors or outdoors.

Keywords: iBeacon; propagation characteristics; logarithmic distance model; received signal strength indicate; multi-environment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSNET.2021.119486

International Journal of Sensor Networks, 2021 Vol.37 No.4, pp.254 - 264

Received: 12 Nov 2020
Accepted: 19 Feb 2021
Published online: 07 Dec 2021 *

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