Sensing Proximity Utilizing a Wireless Radio Subsystem

One or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying software that is operable when executed to:

• receive an RF reference signal from each antenna of a plurality of antennas coupled to an RF transceiver of a wireless communications device associated with a first user of an online system;
• determine, for each antenna of the plurality of antennas, at least one characteristic of the RF reference signal;
• characterize, based on the at least one determined characteristic, at least one aspect of an environment around the device to determine that an object is approaching the device;
• and
• retrieve from the online system, based on determining that the object is approaching the device, information associated with the first user.

A system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and a memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors being operable when executing the instructions to:
• receive an RF reference signal from each antenna of a plurality of antennas coupled to an RF transceiver of a wireless communications device associated with a first user of an online system;
• determine, for each antenna of the plurality of antennas, at least one characteristic of the RF reference signal;
• characterize, based on the at least one determined characteristic, at least one aspect of an environment around the device to determine that an object is approaching the device;
• and
• retrieve from the online system, based on determining that the object is approaching the device, information associated with the first user.