Mobile sensor localization and navigation using RF doppler shifts

Abstract

Many wireless sensor network applications require knowledge of node placement in order to make sense of sensor data in a spatial context. Networks of mobile sensors require position updates for navigation through the sensing region. The global positioning system is able to provide localization information, however in many situations it cannot be relied on, and alternative localization methods are required. We propose a technique for the localization and navigation of a mobile robot that uses the Doppler-shift in frequency observed by stationary sensor nodes. Our experimental results show that, by using observed RF Doppler shifts, a robot is able to navigate through a sensing region with an average localization error of 1.68 meters.