Design and implementation of a Bluetooth ad hoc network for indoor positioning

The high availability of handheld devices with Bluetooth technology allows users to be located with sufficient precision for offering context-sensitive services. The authors present the design and implementation of a scalable architecture for indoor positioning based on Bluetooth sensors. Distance from sensors is estimated using inquiry reports issued at different cyclic power levels, while a centralised positioning system collects data sent through an ad hoc network formed by the sensors themselves.