Adaptive Positioning for Ambient Systems

The quality and availability of positional information (location, orientation) is a key resource that strongly influences the way in which ambient services can be provided to nomadic users. In this article, we propose a number of mechanisms that tackle resource restrictions related to positional information on two levels, the application level and the positioning level. We introduce a generic model and architecture, which allows for the development of resource-aware applications that adapt to the quality of positional information. Our approach provides location-based services with fine-grained control over the balance between resource allocation and quality of positional information. It also enables resource-unaware applications to benefit from adaptation on the positioning level. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated by a case study using a mobile tourist guide.