TITAN researchers from the University of Southampton have developed a highly accurate localisation and tracking scheme for indoor environments using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) and millimetre-wave (mmWave) technology. This system…
TITAN researchers from the University of Southampton have developed a highly accurate localisation and tracking scheme for indoor environments using reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) and millimetre-wave (mmWave) technology. This system addresses the limitations of traditional localisation methods like GPS, which struggle in indoor and dense urban settings.
At the core of this project is a three-stage tracking architecture that integrates random beamforming, multiple measurement vector (MMV) based channel estimation, and adaptive Kalman filtering. This innovative approach enables centimetre-level localisation accuracy within a 20×20 meter area, achieved with a single signal shot at each point along a user’s path. By adapting to dynamic observation noise and mitigating the effects of quantisation and channel estimation bias, the algorithm ensures both high precision and robust tracking performance. Compared to conventional methods that localise users one step at a time, this design significantly enhances both efficiency and accuracy.
The practical applications of this research are wide-ranging. It can revolutionise indoor navigation, smart transportation systems, and asset tracking in environments where GPS is unreliable. By using RIS technology, the system can intelligently reflect and direct mmWave signals, allowing for more precise location data in complex indoor layouts or signal-obstructed areas.
This work was made possible through collaboration with the Next Generation Wireless Group at the University of Southampton and Professor Chun-Yi Wei at National Taipei University. Together, the team is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in wireless localisation.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to extend this work to integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) systems, which will simultaneously optimise both tracking and data transmission. They are also preparing to explore near-field localisation using high-resolution techniques like MUSIC and ESPRIT, and will compare these with their existing compressed sensing approaches.
By combining cutting-edge mmWave technology, adaptive filtering, and intelligent surfaces, this research paves the way for next-generation indoor positioning systems that are more accurate, efficient, and adaptable than ever before.
The research is a part of TITAN Lighthouse Project 5 (LP5): Non-Terrestrial Network Design and Optimisation. The project explores the development and enhancement of communication systems that operate beyond traditional ground-based infrastructure, such as satellite and high-altitude platform networks.
TITAN is part of the Federated Telecoms Hubs (FTH) alongside CHEDDAR, HASC, and JOINER. Together, we conduct world-leading R&D and create a new knowledge-sharing framework, roadmap technology, develop skills, and engage with standards while instilling a commercialisation-focused mindset across academia.
If you have any questions about the research discussed in this article, please contact titan-enquiries@eng.cam.ac.uk.
