Achieve the optimal IPS experience

[Tejeshwar_Sharma]

• Factors affecting IPS performance
• BLE positioning best practices
• Wi-Fi positioning best practices

The accuracy of an ArcGIS IPS deployment depends on the building layout, network distribution of beacons or Wi-Fi access points, mobile devices used, and how a building is surveyed. Listed below are the factors that can affect IPS accuracy, as well as best practices to achieve an optimal IPS experience, based on Bluetooth (BLE) and Wi-Fi.

Factors affecting IPS performance

The following affect the performance of an IPS deployment:

• Beacons placed on high ceilings (for example, 6 meters high) affect IPS accuracy. If no alternative or better installation spots are available, consult your IPS expert for suggestions on power level adjustments and optimization steps.
• Open space with a glass roof or big glass walls can cause unwanted switching between IPS and GNSS (GPS), which might negatively affect the IPS experience.
• Glass windows with infrared coating that reflect microwave or radio signals can negatively affect IPS accuracy.
• Metal frames, buildings with structural metal beams, or metallic sun blinds might also disturb optimal signal distribution and, due to reflections, negatively affect IPS accuracy.
• Changing the position of heavy furniture (particularly of a metallic nature) might negatively affect IPS accuracy.
• Mobile phone performance can vary during the IPS surveying process. Refer to the Recommended Devices for ArcGIS IPS Surveying document.
• When conducting an IPS survey, a device in a protective case that contains magnets will influence magnetometer measurements, resulting in unreliable IPS data. This affects the IPS accuracy and your IPS experience.
• When surveying an indoor space, keep your device in front of you in portrait mode (as when texting with one hand while walking). A device kept in hand provides a better IPS experience than one frequently pocketed.

BLE positioning best practices

Beacons should be placed according to the beacon placement plan, which is usually provided by your IPS expert. The following best practices when planning your network distribution will help ensure a successful IPS deployment:

• Open spaces (for example, open layout, big conference halls) with a high concentration of electronic devices operated on the Bluetooth band can lead to disturbances, resulting in a suboptimal IPS experience. Spaces with separate rooms and structured spaces (for example, office environments, hospitals, corporate campuses, and airports) contribute to a better IPS experience.
• Ideally, place beacons at least 2.5 meters (9 feet) to a maximum of 5 meters (16 feet) above the floor, and out of reach of by-passers.
• Evenly distribute beacons throughout your space to avoid clustering of beacons. A best practice for distribution is 1 beacon per 5 meters (16.12 feet) to 15 meters (49.2 feet).
  The recommended distribution is highly dependent on the type of environment in which the IPS is being deployed. If your IPS committed spaces contain large glass surfaces (for example, internal windows and walls) or are constructed with sizable, exposed metal surfaces that reflect and cause deviations in expected signal distribution, this will likely affect the optimal beacon network distribution, thereby requiring a more densely populated network with modified transmission strength. Consult your IPS expert or beacon placement plan to determine the optimal distribution recommended for your type of facility.

Image showing optimal beacon placement in an environment with narrow and long corridors
Image showing the impact of clustering the beacons together, instead of placing them evenly in space

• Beacons in open areas should be placed in a roughly 10x10 meters grid, if possible.
• Beacons should be placed 8 meters to 15 meters apart (26 feet to 50 feet). Radio signals are blocked differently based on the type of walls of a facility. Thick walls made of block, concrete, or stone interfere with signals, whereas walls made of plaster are usually thin and interfere less with radio signals.

• If there is a thin wall in between beacons, wall signal distortions can be ignored, and the distance recommendations mentioned above can be followed.
• If there is a thick wall in between beacons, ignore the distance and consider a thick wall as a full signal barrier.

Images showing the impact of thick and thin walls on the beacon placement

• Ideally, no more than 10 beacons should be within the detectable range at any location in the facility (between a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 20 beacons). Lower the power level of beacons if there are too many detectable beacons.
  
  

  Low power level                                                              High power level

  Beacons have a limited detectable range.                  Beacons are detectable everywhere on the map.

  Images showing how beacon signals overlap at different power levels
• Beacons should be configured as follows:
• Adjust the power level. The recommended signal strength of beacon signal network is -81 dBm (measured from 1 meter away).
• Adjust the interval. The optimal transmission frequency for IPS is 350 milliseconds.
• The area enclosed by beacons should cover the entire area where the user expects to navigate using ArcGIS IPS.
  Image showing the beacons covering the entire IPS area
• Every location within IPS-enabled area should have at least three beacons in line of sight.
  Image showing every location having at least three beacons in line of sight

Wi-Fi positioning best practices

The following best practices when planning your network distribution help ensure a successful IPS deployment:

• Open spaces (for example, open layout, big conference halls) with a high concentration of electronic devices operated on the Wi-Fi band can lead to disturbances, resulting in a suboptimal IPS experience. Spaces with separate rooms and structured spaces (for example, office environments, hospitals, corporate campuses, and airports) contribute to a better IPS experience.
• Ensure that between 4 and 30 access points with a stable connection are in the detectable range at any point location and at any time.