Localization estimation in wireless sensor networks based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard

Abstract

The development of the large scale sensor networks needs the real time localization problem to be solved with few costs. Some methods that were developed for the time synchronization such as Time of Flight measure or signal level measure such as RSSI, can be used to localize sensor nodes in the network. These methods give different results depending on the estimation processes used for computing the position of the nodes. The usefulness of the algorithm depends on many factors. This paper will focus on developing an algorithm that can give an acceptable error for the computed position while it is using less resources in a way to be implemented in the nodes themselves. The presence of the RSSI mechanism based on new parameter, called Link Quality Indicator (LQI), in the IEEE 802.15.4 devices makes WSN developer thinking about making benefits from this mechanism in the localization problem. The method developed and simulated in this paper is based on finding a small polygon enclosing a node and applying barycentric estimation. This approach can give relative errors for the localization problem while consuming less resources.