Table of Contents
1. Create Account
Create Account
Register for Combain service by filling in the required information.
Account Verification
After you register, we will send a verification email to your account (if you do not receive it, please check your spam folder). To verify your account, you open the email, click “Click here to activate your account,” and follow the instructions in the email.
2. Download and Install the Combain Indoor Survey app
3. Create Building
The first step is to create a building for your 3D indoor positioning. When you create a building, you can choose floors, add features, and create radio environment models. You can also view floor plans for a building or area and create surveys and models for positioning coverage.
Step-By-Step
- Log in and go to places, then select Add New.
- Enter the address or building name for the building you want to add. When the area is filled with blue, select the building and click “add new.”
- Enter name, visibility, and floor if necessary. You can choose between two types: “Building” and “Area.” An area could benefit a campus or a more extensive region.
- Click Save.
For detailed instructions, please watch this video.
For detailed instructions, please watch this video.
4. Create Radio Environment Model (REM)
There are two different kinds of methods to create a building model.
The first method manually inserts WIFIs and BLE beacons. The second method is to conduct a survey using the Combain AI Indoor Positioning service.
A model is necessary to get good RF coverage and low median error data. Adding more BLE and WIFI beacons will improve indoor positioning coverage.
Manual Indoor: Step-By-Step
- Go to your building and select positioning. Varify that you have the correct floor.
- Click on Edit Mode and go to models.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner of models and add a new model.
- Create your model and select it on the left side. Then, return to Add New and pick either BLE or WIFI beacons. Place them on the map in the correct location.
- Save and publish your model. Publish it by going to the three dots and clicking publish.
For detailed instructions, please watch this video.
AI Indoor survey: Step-By-Step
A good survey should have at least ten reference points or 50 successful scans. Multiple surveys will improve your indoor positioning and lower the median error.
Step-By-Step
- Download the Combain Indoor Survey app to your Android phone from Google Play.
NB. The app is only available for specific Android devices, so we recommend using the Google Pixel 8 or later. Because of technical limitations, it is also unavailable for iPhone.
- Log in to the app and select places from the Top Left Menu.
- Select the building and floor where you want indoor positioning enabled in the app. If there is no building, contact Combain support.
- Click Start Indoor Survey and follow the instructions.
- Place reference points—When performing a survey, the app continuously scans for Wi-Fis and BLEs. To help the system understand your location, click the ‘+’ icon to place reference points. You must pan and zoom so the crosshair is at your current IRL physical location. The more accurate you are, the more precise indoor positioning.
- End the survey and wait for the radio environment model to be automatically published. When published, an email is sent to the account’s admin. It usually takes 1-2 minutes.
For detailed instructions, please watch this video.
Upload a Radio Environment Model using a CSV file
Suppose you have a previous Radio Environment Model that you want to apply to the current building. Reusing it simplifies the process by avoiding the need to create it from scratch.
Step-By-Step
- Check to make sure your building model is saved as a CSV file. If it isn’t, save it again as a CSV file instead.
- Go to your building and positioning and models.
- Click on Edit to find the Upload button by the three dots.
- Find and upload your CSV file. When it is uploaded, remember to publish it.
- Save your file by clicking save on the bottom of your screen.
For detailed instructions, please watch this video.
5. Start Indoor Positioning
Now, you can use indoor positioning with either Combain Location API or Combain SDK.
Combain SDK is the most common and best suited for an app, while Combain Location API is a way to improve indoor positioning on devices.