Hybrid positioning system

Hybrid positioning systems are systems for finding the location of a mobile device using several different positioning technologies. Usually GPS (Global Positioning System) is one major component of such systems, combined with for instance cell tower signals, wireless internet signals, Bluetooth sensors etc.

These systems are specifically designed to overcome the limitations of the GPS system, which is very exact in any open area, but works poorly indoors, between tall buildings (the canyon effect) or even just in cloudy weather. By comparison, cell tower signals are not hindered by buildings or bad weather, but are harder to use for exact positioning. Wi-Fi signals may give very exact positioning, but only in urban areas with high Wi-Fi density - and depend on a comprehensive database of Wi-Fi access points.

Hybrid positioning systems are increasingly being explored for certain civilian and commercial location-based services and location-based media, which need to work well in urban areas in order to be commercially and practically viable.

Different hybrid positioning systems are currently being developed and used in services from Navizon, Xtify, PlaceEngine, SkyHook, Google Maps for Mobile. The maturity of these systems approaches requires proofing in operational use.