Android 15 Introduces Wi-Fi Ranging Support for Improved Indoor Navigation

Key Insights:

• With the introduction of Android 15, the IEEE 802.11az Wi-Fi Ranging protocol is now available, enhancing indoor tracking accuracy to within one meter.
• This upgrade marks a significant advancement from prior Wi-Fi positioning technologies, reducing the accuracy threshold from 10-15 meters down to around 0.4 meters.
• To utilize Wi-Fi Ranging, devices must possess compatible hardware, and the Wi-Fi access points require firmware enhancements.

Android 15 brings forth Wi-Fi Ranging, a cutting-edge feature designed for accurate indoor location tracking. This innovation makes locating devices inside buildings, such as shopping centers, far more reliable, as GPS signals can often be obstructed.

As reported by Android Authority, Wi-Fi Ranging can accurately determine a device’s position to within less than one meter (approximately 40 inches), vastly enhancing precision compared to older Wi-Fi solutions, which typically had an accuracy range of 10-15 meters.

This technology leverages the 6GHz band and employs a method known as Fine Timing Measurement (FTM) to ascertain exact locations. Such precision could prove beneficial for navigating large retail environments or activating smart home systems based on specific room occupancy.

Nonetheless, for Wi-Fi Ranging to function, particular hardware is essential: many existing Android smartphones lack compatibility, but future models featuring Qualcomm’s FastConnect 7900 chip will be equipped for this capability. Moreover, current Wi-Fi access points will need updates to align with the 802.11az standard.

In scenarios where Wi-Fi Ranging is unavailable, Android 15 can revert to a less precise yet more universally compatible location method known as RTT (Android Source), ensuring that location services remain functional in a variety of environments.

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