Backscatter based localization technology: Principles, challenges and its aviation applications

Backscatter communication, an emerging technology in passive Internet of Things (IoT), enables data transmission by modulating reflected ambient or dedicated radio frequency signals. It offers core advantages including ultra-low power consumption, low cost, easy deployment, and maintenance. In recent years, standards organizations such as 3GPP and CCSA have prioritized passive IoT development, with particular emphasis on advancing passive sensing and localization capabilities. Against this technical backdrop, backscatter technology has emerged as a critical solution for low-power positioning, leveraging its ultra-low power attributes in operational environments. This paper focuses specifically on backscatter positioning technology. We elucidate its low-power communication principles, trace its technical evolution, and provide a comprehensive review of prevalent localization algorithms alongside their latest research advances. Based on this foundation, the paper explores the critical technical challenges faced by this technology. Furthermore, significant application potential of backscatter localization within the aviation sector is highlighted, focusing on key scenarios such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based material delivery and disaster search-and-rescue operations, as well as airline baggage tracking and ground vehicle positioning at civil aviation airports.