WiFibased

WiFibased refers to systems and applications that rely on WiFi signals as the principal medium for communication, sensing, or control. The term covers hardware deployments using existing 2.4/5 GHz 802.11 networks and software methods that extract information from WiFi transmissions, including channel state information, timing, or signal strength. It encompasses active wireless systems that emit dedicated probes and passive approaches that analyze ambient WiFi traffic.

In practice, WiFibased architectures typically involve WiFi access points, client devices, a backhaul network, and data processing software that runs localization, sensing, or monitoring algorithms. Common distinctions include active WiFi-based sensing, which uses controlled transmissions, and passive WiFi-based sensing, which relies on reflections of existing signals. Indoor localization is a prominent application, using techniques such as RSSI fingerprinting, Time of Flight and Wi-Fi RTT, or CSI-based methods to estimate position or track movement. Other applications include asset tracking, occupancy analytics, gesture and activity recognition, and environmental sensing within smart buildings.

Technically, WiFibased systems exploit characteristics of WiFi signals, such as multipath propagation, channel state information, and beamforming, often in conjunction with machine learning to interpret signal patterns. Benefits include the widespread availability of WiFi infrastructure, cost efficiency, and the potential to retrofit existing networks. Challenges include accuracy variability, privacy and security considerations, interference, and the need for robust data processing pipelines and standards for interoperability.