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Advances in RFID-Based Indoor Positioning Systems

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Navigation and Positioning".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 November 2026 | Viewed by 3615

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Regional University Network, Leiria, Portugal
2. “Instituto de Telecomunicações”, Centre for Research in Informatics and Communications—CIIC, Leiria, Portugal
Interests: sensors; positioning; RFID
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Computer Science and Communications Research Centre, School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
2. Computer Science Engineering Department at the School of Technology and Management of the Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
Interests: image processing and computer vision; machine learning; assistive technology for disabled people
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid evolution of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has significantly transformed indoor positioning systems (IPSs), enabling precise and efficient tracking in diverse environments such as smart buildings, healthcare facilities, warehouses, and industrial automation. However, despite recent advancements, challenges remain in enhancing accuracy, scalability, energy efficiency, and real-time processing.

This Special Issue aims to explore cutting-edge research and innovative solutions in RFID-based indoor localization, covering topics such as the following:

  • Machine learning- and AI-driven RFID positioning;
  • Hybrid positioning methods combining RFID with other technologies (UWB, Wi-Fi, BLE, etc.);
  • RF propagation modeling and signal processing techniques;
  • Low-power and energy-efficient RFID-based localization;
  • Security and privacy challenges in RFID tracking;
  • Applications in Industry 4.0, healthcare, retail, and logistics.

We invite researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to contribute original research articles, reviews, and case studies addressing the latest breakthroughs in RFID-based IPS. Join us in shaping the future of indoor positioning!

Prof. Dr. Joao da Silva Pereira
Prof. Dr. Paulo Manuel Almeida Costa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • machine learning- and AI-driven RFID positioning
  • hybrid positioning methods combining RFID with other technologies (UWB, Wi-Fi, BLE, etc.)
  • RF propagation modeling and signal processing techniques
  • low-power and energy-efficient RFID-based localization
  • security and privacy challenges in RFID tracking
  • applications in Industry 4.0, healthcare, retail, and logistics

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 1715 KB  
Article
A Semantic-Associated Factor Graph Model for LiDAR-Assisted Indoor Multipath Localization
by Bingxun Liu, Ke Han, Zhongliang Deng and Gan Guo
Sensors 2026, 26(1), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26010346 - 5 Jan 2026
Viewed by 763
Abstract
In indoor environments where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are entirely blocked, wireless signals such as 5G and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) have become primary means for high-precision positioning. However, complex indoor structures lead to significant multipath effects, which severely constrain the improvement of [...] Read more.
In indoor environments where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are entirely blocked, wireless signals such as 5G and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) have become primary means for high-precision positioning. However, complex indoor structures lead to significant multipath effects, which severely constrain the improvement of positioning accuracy. Existing indoor positioning methods rarely link environmental semantic information (e.g., wall, column) to multipath error estimation, leading to inaccurate multipath correction—especially in complex scenes with multiple reflective objects. To address this issue, this paper proposes a LiDAR-assisted multipath estimation and positioning method. This method constructs a tightly coupled perception-positioning framework: first, a semantic-feature-based neural network for reflective surface detection is designed to accurately extract the geometric parameters of potential reflectors from LiDAR point clouds; subsequently, a unified factor graph model is established to multidimensionally associate and jointly infer terminal states, virtual anchor (VA) states, wireless signal measurements, and LiDAR-perceived reflector information, enabling dynamic discrimination and utilization of both line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) paths. Experimental results demonstrate that the root mean square error (RMSE) of the proposed method is improved by 32.1% compared to traditional multipath compensation approaches. This research provides an effective solution for high-precision and robust positioning in complex indoor environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in RFID-Based Indoor Positioning Systems)
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28 pages, 9665 KB  
Article
Long-Range RFID Indoor Positioning System for an Autonomous Wheelchair
by João S. Pereira
Sensors 2025, 25(8), 2542; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25082542 - 17 Apr 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2229
Abstract
A new Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) indoor positioning system (IPS) has been developed to operate in environments where the Global Positioning System (GPS) is unavailable. Traditional RFID tracking systems, such as anti-theft systems in clothing stores, typically work within close proximity to exit doors. [...] Read more.
A new Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) indoor positioning system (IPS) has been developed to operate in environments where the Global Positioning System (GPS) is unavailable. Traditional RFID tracking systems, such as anti-theft systems in clothing stores, typically work within close proximity to exit doors. This paper presents a novel RFID IPS capable of locating and tracking passive RFID tags over a larger area with greater precision. These tags, costing approximately EUR 0.10 each, are in the form of small stickers that can be attached to any item requiring tracking. The proposed system is designed for an autonomous wheelchair, built from scratch, which will be identified and monitored using passive RFID tags. Our new RFID IPS, with a 12 m range, is implemented in this “smart” wheelchair. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in RFID-Based Indoor Positioning Systems)
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