Overview

Documentation and resources from Microsoft Innovation Center (MIC) administration period (2010-2011). Includes WiFi wardriving survey project for building location services database, Windows 7 gadget development, and community technology initiatives.

Wardriving Survey Project

Conducted WiFi access point mapping survey across Singapore to build location positioning database. Wardriving involves systematically driving routes while logging WiFi access points and GPS coordinates for triangulation-based positioning.

Survey Methodology

  • GPS receiver for accurate positioning (5-10 meter accuracy)
  • WiFi adapter in monitor mode for AP detection
  • Custom logging software recording: BSSID (MAC address), SSID, signal strength (RSSI), channel, encryption type, GPS coordinates, timestamp
  • Driving routes covering major roads, residential areas, commercial districts

Data Collection

  • Logged 10,000+ unique WiFi access points across Singapore
  • Coverage density: 50-100 APs per square kilometer in urban areas
  • Signal strength measurements for triangulation accuracy
  • Repeated measurements at different times for AP persistence validation

Database Construction

  • Aggregated data into spatial database
  • Removed transient APs (mobile hotspots, tethering)
  • Calculated weighted centroid positions for APs seen from multiple locations
  • Formatted data for compatibility with location inference services

Windows 7 Gadget Development

Developed desktop gadgets for Windows 7 Sidebar showcasing location-based services:

Technology Stack

  • HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript
  • Windows Sidebar API
  • Windows Location API via COM interop
  • Real-time data updates

Gadget Features

  • Current location display (lat/long)
  • Nearby points of interest
  • Weather information for current location
  • Travel time estimates to saved locations

Technical Implementation

  • Used Windows.Location.ILocationProvider COM interface
  • Polled location every 30 seconds
  • Fallback hierarchy: GPS → WiFi positioning → IP geolocation
  • JSON data from web services for POI/weather

Technical Challenges

WiFi AP Churn: Access points frequently added, removed, or moved. Wardriving database requires periodic updates (every 3-6 months) to maintain accuracy. APs in residential areas more stable than commercial areas with frequent IT changes.

Signal Strength Variability: RSSI measurements affected by interference, weather, device orientation. Single measurement insufficient; multiple readings averaged for reliable position estimation. Standard deviation of 5-10 dB typical.

Privacy Concerns: Wardriving raises privacy questions about WiFi AP tracking. Followed Google/Skyhook precedent: store BSSID (MAC) hashed, exclude SSIDs containing “_nomap” or “_optout”, anonymous data (no association with AP owners).

Gadget Platform Limitations: Windows Gadgets sandboxed with limited system access. Required elevated privileges for some location APIs. Microsoft deprecated gadgets in Windows 8 due to security concerns (arbitrary code execution vulnerabilities).

Results

Wardriving Coverage: Successfully mapped 80%+ of accessible Singapore roads. Position accuracy testing showed 20-30 meter accuracy with 3+ visible APs, comparable to commercial WiFi positioning services (Skyhook, Google Location Services).

Community Impact: Presented findings at MIC events, educating developers about location-based services. Demonstration gadgets used in workshops teaching Windows platform development.

Tech Stack

  • Wardriving: Windows laptop, GPS receiver (USB), WiFi adapter (monitor mode), custom C# logging application
  • Database: SQL Server with spatial extensions
  • Gadgets: HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, Windows Sidebar API, Windows Location API
  • Analysis: Excel, ArcGIS for spatial visualization

Historical Context

Wardriving project conducted during period when WiFi positioning emerging as GPS alternative for indoor/urban canyon scenarios. Commercial services (Skyhook, PlaceEngine) building proprietary databases. Community efforts (OpenWiFiMap) attempted crowdsourced mapping. Microsoft Orion service relied on similar wardriving data.

Windows 7 Gadgets represented Microsoft’s answer to Mac OS X Dashboard Widgets and Google Desktop Gadgets. Platform deprecated 2011-2012 due to security issues, replaced by Windows 8 Live Tiles.

Source Code

Documentation and code snippets will be available on GitHub at: https://github.com/tanchunsiong/mic-administration

Project Created: 2010-2011

Connect: