In the process of simulating positioning within your building, there are two ways we can achieve the desired result:
On the one hand, we have the option of simulating a beacon located in our building, for which we will need two devices: one to be used as the beacon simulator and another to position yourself within the building. This is the method to use to simulate indoor positioning
On the other hand, we can choose to simulate our position using various applications available for different operating systems, some of which we will briefly describe on this page. Through these applications, we will be able to simulate an outdoor-type positioning.
Before proceeding with this process, we recommend reading our documentation regarding the differences between indoor and outdoor positioning, in order to clarify which one best suits your needs.
Simulate a beacon #
To simulate one or more beacons from your building, in order to simulate indoor positioning and perform remote positioning tests, you will first need to download a beacon simulator application.
Step 1: Download a beacon simulator app #
- Android: For versions higher than Android 12: Beacon Scope (images above)
- iOS (iPhone, iPad, and Mac): Beacon Walker tool for iBeacon
- Windows: Beacon Simulator
Step 2: Choose the right beacon #
To continue, please follow these steps:
- Begin by navigating to the Dashboard and accessing the Infrastructure Panel specific to your building.
- Select a beacon located in the area of the building where you want to test positioning.
- Once you have selected the beacon, take note of its Major and Minor values. In this case:
- Major: 8217
- Minor: 4659
Step 3: Updating the beacon information in the beacon app #
After installing the app and choosing the beacon, you’re ready to start simulating! Each beacon simulator app is different, but they all share some common steps. Here we describe these steps and provide some mockups of how one of these apps might look like.
- Create a new beacon. Usually, there will be a “Transmit” menu and/or a “+” button to add it.
- Provide a name for your simulated beacon and enter the values as shown in the third image: UUID, Major, and Minor.
- Remember that Situm’s UUID is: 73697475-6D73-6974-756D-736974756D15 while Kontakt beacon’s UUID is f7826da6-4fa2-4e98-8024-bc5b71e0893e.
- Choose the ‘iBeacon’ protocol for simulating your beacon.
- Save the configuration and return to the main menu to activate the beacon. Usually, there’s a switch to enable the beacon.
Step 4: Calibrate and start positioning #
Remember that before to start positioning, you need to calibrate your building. Once we have performed some initial calibrations that allow us to start indoor positioning, you should be able to locate your second device inside the building.
Mock your GPS location #
If you prefer not to simulate a beacon, you can choose to mock your position using different applications.
Remember that, as we discussed at the beginning of this page, this method would allow us to simulate outdoor positioning, unlike the method based on simulating beacons.
If you have any questions about the type of positioning you are interested in simulating, you can consult our documentation on the matter.
Below, we detail the steps you should follow:
Mock your GPS location – Android #
Step 1: Download a Mock location app #
To do this, search for ‘Fake GPS’ in the Google Play Store app. Here are some app examples for Android devices:
- Lockito (Recommended): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fr.dvilleneuve.lockito&hl=es_419&gl=US
- Mock Location: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.gavrikov.mocklocations&hl=en
- Fake GPS: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lexa.fakegps&hl=es&gl=US
Download and Install it on your device.
Step 2: Create a path within the Mock app #
This step requires some creativity. The concept is to establish a path that aligns (more or less) with the accessible areas of your building.
- Begin by creating a route (left picture).
- Use the screen to place waypoints and then press ‘play’ once the route is complete (right picture).
Tip!
In the dashboard, adjust the floorplan opacity to 40% and navigate using recognizable features within the building itself.
Step 3: Set up a Geofence #
To proceed with this step, follow these instructions:
- Navigate to the Dashboard and access the Cartography section of your building
- Create a geofence with a custom field that integrates phone sensor data to improve location accuracy alongside the Google GPS signal.
- Once this geofence is created, reopen the Situm Mapping Tool application and enable the Indoor GPS. You are now ready to test positioning!
Mock your GPS location – iOS #
Regarding iOS devices, there are also options for simulating location.
How to mock your GPS location using iAnyGo #
One of these is the iAnyGo , which, unlike Lockito, is a PC or Mac application. However, its functionality is similar to other geolocation simulation apps, allowing you to simulate your position at a physical location, establish a route between two points (where you can adjust various values such as movement speed), or even a route between any number of points you wish to test, as shown in the attached screenshots.
This software also allows us to export and import .gpx files, enabling us to transfer paths between different devices.
The import process is managed through the application’s menu, shown in the following screenshot. Simply select the local location of the .gpx file you wish to import, and you’re done.
The process of exporting .GPX files with the route we’ve designed is also quite simple and intuitive for the user. Once we’ve adjusted our route to our liking, we can export it to a .GPX file using the icon in the upper left corner, as shown in the attached screenshot. This allows us to use our route or location on other devices.
Mock GPS location with Xcode #
Another software option that allows us to simulate positioning on iOS devices is Xcode. This developer-oriented application offers, through the Debug menu usually located at the top of the screen, the ability to simulate positioning in our debug application, either using the predefined options provided by the application or by importing a .GPX file, a feature we’ve already discussed.
It is important to note that, as we saw earlier with other GPS positioning simulation applications, we will need to configure a Geofence with a custom field to activate the use of the GPS signal, as outlined here.