Automated Environment Mapping Using LiDAR for Optimal Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 Router Placement

Ozturk I., Payal E.

IEEE Access, vol.14, pp.17473-17486, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 14
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1109/access.2025.3649991
  • Journal Name: IEEE Access
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.17473-17486
  • Keywords: Indoor mapping, LiDAR, placement optimization, positioning, RSSI, signal propagation, Wi-Fi coverage
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Wi-Fi technologies are rapidly evolving and have become indispensable in many areas of daily life. In indoor environments where these technologies are frequently used, optimizing signal propagation has become a critical requirement. Most existing studies rely on pre-acquired indoor maps and material data to account for signal losses. In this study, an automated, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) assisted solution is proposed to determine the optimal placement of the router by mapping the environment using Point Cloud (PC) data. The effectiveness of the method is evaluated using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) measurements collected from different rooms. These measurements also helped classify wall types based on signal behavior. For the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands, model predictions showed high agreement with real data, achieving MAE values of 1.8 dB and 4.8 dB, respectively. The proposed approach has the potential to enhance wireless network performance and stability, particularly in meeting the reliable connectivity requirements of IoT applications and smart home environments.