Instead of using GPS or mobile phone tower systems, Wi-Fi positioning system (WPS) uses wireless fidelity network to locate the position of a device. This is superior to satellite positioning system because myriad access points are there in a certain location which points out clearly where the user is at any point of time. Plenty of Wi-Fi positioning software which can keep a constant track of any Wi-Fi enabled device like a PC, a laptop, A PDA or a smart phone.
The function of Wi-Fi technology has a lot of resemblance in its way of working with walkie-talkie. A walkie-talkie has a small radio inbuilt in it which can send out and accept radio signals. In case of walkie-talkie the voice signals are at first transformed into radio signals and then it is conveyed to another walkie-talkie where an antenna is used to transmit and receive signals from the other end. The receiver walkie-talkie obtains the radio-signals that are sent to it and then it decodes that signal into a voice signal that is comprehensive the listener.
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Wi-Fi operator (means who provides the service) maintains their own database which contains information about every access point of a particular location. In this way when a user gets into location the software searches for nearest available access points and the accurate position of the user. Wi-Fi access points need to be increased in numbers to gain more accuracy. So the function of Wi-Fi technology depends on the number of access points.
APPLICATION
The application of Wi-Fi is to connect computers in the network. The outgoing radio signals connect computers without wires from anywhere. But this is possible within the range of 100 meters. The difference with walkie-talkie is that Wi-Fi enabled devices transmit the binary codes into radio waves and it is transmitted to the other computer in same network which is finally converted into the user’s language. And for all these a Wi-Fi device is needed on each side. Another important function of Wi-Fi technology is it can give directions in big cities and locate any particular point of the city and to find stolen and lost electronic gadgets.
DIFFERENCE WITH GPS
This function of Wi-Fi technology is as perfect as GPS except it is more reliable in urban areas where skyscrapers obstruct the way of GPS signals. GPS does not locate any user within a building but wireless technology does that perfectly. Wi-Fi is one of the most important location based service used for establishing position of a device.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS
As it works with the help of
wireless routers, it cannot perform well in rural areas because generally the density of the routers is very low over there. Not only that, as the rules and regulations of availing a wireless connection are not very much rigid it poses a deep threat as opening the chances for sabotage.
