Markov model for dynamic behavior of ranging errors in indoor geolocation systems

Recently, considerable attention has been devoted to modeling and analysis of the behavior of the ranging error in indoor environment. The ranging error modeling is essential in design of precise time of arrival (TOA) based indoor geolocation systems. In this paper we present a new framework for simulation of the dynamic spatial variations of ranging error observed by a mobile user based on an application of Markov model. The model relegates the behavior of ranging error into four main categories associated with four states of the Markov process. The parameters of the model are extracted from empirical data collected from a measurement calibrated ray tracing (RT) algorithm in a typical office environment. Results of simulated errors from Markov model and actual errors from empirical data show close agreement.