How Does WiFi GPS Work?

The WiFi uses what is known as Access Point or AP. A group of such points is used for triangulation that helps in calculating the exact location. Since the GPS does not work indoors, the position can be triangulated with the help of access point signals .

This works best at places that abound in access points like Internet hubs and cities. Using mathematics and access point signals, the location can be determined.

This wireless technology is basically a three step process.

• First the component tries to detect all the networks it can.
• Then the signal strength of these networks is determined.
• The collated data is then compared to the results stored in the database which helps in determining the exact position.

The position is calculated by the software system which detects signals from access points or hot spots near by. The data base has a list of all the hot spots in the region along with the coordinates.

Since it does not use satellites, this GPS system is cheaper than the handheld GPS systems. That is the reason this system is known as the poor man's GPS.

Comparing the figures helps in determining the exact location. Though the system does not work as accurately as the GPS system it is quite effective in calculating your position indoors.

Though Wireless GPS represents a great technological advancement, the issues with these gadgets is that the transmission is generally affected by a variety of factors like WiFi networks, their availability and quality of the signals.

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