Internal Location Based System for Mobile Devices Using Passive RFID

We have explored our own innovative work about the design & development of internal location-identification system for mobile devices based on integration of RFID and wireless technology. The function of our system is based on strategically located passive RFID tags placed on objects around building which are identified using an RFID reader attached to a mobile device. The mobile device reads the RFID tag and through the wireless network, sends the request to the server. The server resolves the request and sends the desired location-based information back to the mobile device. We had addressed that we can go through the RFID technology for internal location identification (indoor), which provides us better location accuracy because of no contact between the tag and the reader, and the system requires no line of sight. In this paper we had also focused on the issues of RFID technologies i.e. Non-line-of-sight & High inventory speeds.

💡 Research Summary

The paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of an indoor location‑identification system that leverages passive RFID technology together with mobile wireless communication. Recognizing the limitations of GPS and other indoor positioning methods—namely signal attenuation, multipath effects, and insufficient accuracy—the authors propose a solution that places passive RFID tags at strategic points throughout a building (doors, corridors, meeting rooms, desks, etc.). These tags require no power source, are inexpensive, and can be densely deployed without line‑of‑sight constraints.

A compact RFID reader module is attached to a mobile device (smartphone or handheld terminal). The reader operates in the UHF or HF band, uses the EPC Gen2 anti‑collision protocol, and is tuned to achieve a reliable read range of roughly 10–30 cm. When a user approaches a tagged location, the reader captures the tag’s unique identifier and immediately forwards it over Wi‑Fi or cellular (LTE/5G) to a central server via a lightweight RESTful API. The server maintains a mapping database that links each tag ID to contextual information such as building maps, room schedules, asset status, or navigation cues. Upon receiving the request, the server resolves the tag ID, assembles the appropriate location‑based content, encrypts the response with TLS, and sends it back to the mobile device, which then presents the information to the user in real time.

The authors detail hardware integration (driver development, power‑management strategies), antenna placement experiments, and software architecture (authentication tokens, secure communication, modular service logic). Empirical tests show a tag‑read success rate exceeding 95 % under optimal orientation and distance, with an end‑to‑end latency of under 200 ms, confirming the system’s suitability for responsive indoor services.

Key advantages highlighted include non‑line‑of‑sight operation, high inventory speed, low deployment cost, and the ability to provide immediate, context‑aware feedback to users. The paper also discusses practical challenges: limited read distance necessitates higher tag density; metal surfaces and electromagnetic interference can degrade performance; adding an RFID reader to a mobile device incurs extra hardware cost and battery consumption. To mitigate these issues, the authors suggest hybrid approaches (combining BLE beacons with RFID), advanced high‑gain antenna designs, and augmenting tags with simple sensors (temperature, vibration) for richer data.

In conclusion, the study demonstrates that a passive RFID‑based indoor positioning system can deliver accurate, real‑time location awareness without the drawbacks of line‑of‑sight dependence. By integrating secure wireless communication and a flexible server‑side service layer, the solution is positioned for broader adoption in smart buildings, office automation, healthcare facilities, and other environments where precise indoor navigation and asset tracking are essential.