Quantifying Body-Shielding Effects on GNSS Signals During Firefighter Missions

Problem Statement: 

The goal of the iTrack project is to track firefighters during missions with sub-meter accuracy in urban areas. While state-of-the-art GNSS modules promise high accuracy and precision, the human acts as a significant ‘bag of water’ that absorbs and reflects signals. This can potentially cause a loss of positioning exactly when the firefighter needs it most.

Tasks

Research RF propagation, GNSS L1/L5 signal characteristics, and the dielectric properties of the human body.

Execute field tests across various body positions (e.g., chest, hip, boot).

Provide a data-driven recommendation for the best antenna mounting position on a firefighter's gear.

Work Distribution

20% Theory: Research on RF propagation, GNSS L1/L5 signal characteristics, and the dielectric properties of the human body.

70% Prototyping & Testing: Build a multi-antenna measurement rig, execute field tests across various body positions (chest, hip, boot), and analyse the resulting Carrier-to-Noise (C/N0) datasets.

10% Writing: Document the signal attenuation profiles and provide a data-driven recommendation for the best antenna mounting position.

You will work directly with state-of-the-art GNSS modules provided by Inertia Technology B.V. 

Contact

Berend Jan van der Zwaag (b.j.vanderzwaag@utwente.nl)

Sabari Anbalagan (sabari@inertia-technology.com)