Wifi Radar

Description of Wifi Radar Application

Overview:
Wifi Radar is an experimental application designed to scan nearby WiFi access points (APs) and create a relative map of these points. This innovative tool provides users with a unique way to visualize their surroundings and the WiFi infrastructure around them.

Functionality:
The primary function of Wifi Radar is to estimate the distance to nearby WiFi access points based on signal levels. By leveraging this information, the app generates a relative map that highlights the relationships between the access points and the user's location. Importantly, this map is not geographically accurate but rather focuses on the spatial relationships between the detected WiFi signals.

Technical Details:
Once the WiFi access points are scanned, the collected data is fed into a ForceGraph data structure. This structure simulates spring-like connections between the access points and the user’s current scanning position. The ForceGraph then calculates the forces acting on these connections, allowing the access points to move and rearrange themselves based on these simulated forces. Over time, as more access points are scanned from various positions, the map begins to take shape, revealing the interconnections between the WiFi signals and the user's location.

Limitations:
It is important to note that the ForceGraph algorithm used in Wifi Radar has certain limitations. Specifically, it cannot distinguish between left and right directions or determine the correct orientation of the map. As a result, when compared to the real world, the generated map could be mirrored or oriented differently on the screen. Despite these limitations, Wifi Radar offers a fascinating perspective on the WiFi landscape surrounding the user.