This work introduces the hardware architecture and
general principles of a portable indoor navigation system for
guiding visually impaired people. It operates through wireless
communication between a compact hardware interface unit
carried by the user, a central processing unit and an active
RFID unit. The RFID unit collects signals as regard to the
position of the user, the central system processes those signals to
estimate the position of the user and proposes a route and
direction for the user to follow, whereas hardware interface unit
provides interaction. The orienteering of the user is obtained by
a tactile compass.
