Description

This issue of Sensor TOE identifies key innovations and requirements for sensors and related technologies used in indoor positioning systems, including solutions that use ultra-wideband radio communications, near field communications, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and different sensing technologies such as magnetic field sensors, accelerometers, gyros, and pressure sensors.

Sensor TechVision Opportunity Engine (TOE) captures global sensor-related innovations and developments on a weekly basis. Innovations are directed toward developing smart and intelligent sensors with functionalities beyond sensing. Research focus areas include: low power sensors (energy harvesting), industrial automation sensors (M2M, vision sensor), ubiquitous sensor (WSN, sensor fusion), smart sensors (wearables, quantified self), high sensitivity and smaller size (MEMS, nanosensors), and improved security (CBRNE, terahertz).

The need for low power, smaller, lighter sensors with enhanced performance attributes and minimal false alarms is driving innovations in the sensors space. The Sensors and Control cluster covers innovations pertaining to technologies such as wireless sensors and networks, energy harvesting, haptics and touch, MEMS and nanosensors, Terahertz, ubiquitous/smart sensors, CBRNE, quantified-self, sensor fusion, M2M communications, and drones.

Keywords: indoor positioning systems, location-based services, ultra-wideband, geomagnetic positioning, near field communications