Do you know that your WiFi router has a secret magical power? Let’s tell you about it in detail.
To count the number of people, the researchers put two WiFi nodes located in the opposite directions in a 70-sq-meter area. Now by calculating the power measurement in that particular area by those nodes, the number of people were accurately estimated up to nine people- in both outdoor and indoor locations. When people crossed the team between these two nodes, the WiFi signal dropped a bit and vice-versa.
By examining the signal variation and behavior of signals, the researchers were able to derive a mathematical method to estimate the number of persons in that area.
Mostofi said, “This is about counting walking people, which is very challenging, counting this many people in such a small area with only WiFi power measurements of one link is a hard problem, and the main motivation for this work.”
This finding related to WiFi signals could be used in various applications like estimation of people to make smart buildings, air-conditioning capacity etc. Apart from these, this could also be used in security related areas.