A Three-Dimensional Range-Free Localization Algorithm Based on Mobile Beacons for Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks （WSNs） the position information of individual nodes is a matter of vital importance because allows the implementation of necessary network functions such as routing, querying and other applications. The objective of this paper is to propose an algorithm of three-dimensional distributed range-free localization for WSNs, using a mobile beacon （MB） equipped with a rotary and tilting directional antenna. This algorithm, denominated as the three-dimensional azimuthally defined area localization algorithm （3D- ADAL）, is executed in each sensor node and is based only on the analysis of the information received from the MB, therefore is energy efficient and contributes to extend the lifetime of the sensor network. Additionally the proposed algorithm has the advantage of being simple and economical. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is a practical, effective and accurate method for a three-dimensional location of sensor nodes in a WSN.

Distributed localization using mobile beacons in wireless sensor networks

A new distributed node localization algorithm named mobile beacons-improved particle filter （MB-IPF） was proposed. In the algorithm, the mobile nodes equipped with globe position system （GPS） move around in the wireless sensor network （WSN） field based on the Gauss-Markov mobility model, and periodically broadcast the beacon messages Each unknown node estimates its location in a fully distributed mode based on the received mobile beacons. The localization algorithm is based on the IPF and several refinements, including the proposed weighted centroid algorithm, the residual resampling algorithm, and the markov chain monte carlo （MCMC） method etc., which were also introduced for performance improvement. The simulation results show that our proposed algorithm is efficient for most applications.

Designing reduced beacon trajectory for sensor localization

Localization is one of the substantial issues in wireless sensor networks. The key problem for the mobile beacon localization is how to choose the appropriate beacon trajectory. However, little research has been done on it. In this paper, firstly, we deduce the number of positions for a beacon to send a packet according to the acreage of ROI (region of interest); and next we present a novel method based on virtual force to arrange the positions in arbitrary ROI; then we apply TSP (travelling salesman problem) algorithm to the positions sequence to obtain the optimal touring path, i.e. the reduced beacon trajectory. When a mobile beacon moves along the touring path, sending RF signals at every position, the sensors in ROI can work out their position with trilateration. Experimental results demonstrate that the localization method, based on the beacon reduced path, is efficient and has flexible accuracy.

An Range-free Localization Scheme for Large Scale Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we study an area localization problem in large scale underwater wireless sensor networks （UWSNs）. The limited bandwidth, the severely impaired channel and the cost of underwater equipment all make the underwater localization problem very challenging. Exact localization is very difficult for UWSNs in deep underwater environment. We propose a range free method based on mobile detachable elevator transceiver （DET） and 3D multi-power area localization scheme （3D-MALS） to address the challenging problem. In the proposed scheme, the ideas of 2D multi-power area localization scheme （2D-ALS） and utilizing DET are used to achieve the simplicity, location accuracy, scalability and low cost performances. The DET can rise and get down to broadcast its position. And it is assumed that all the underwater nodes underwater have pressure sensors and know their z coordinates. We evaluate the performances of 2D-ALS and our proposed 3D-MALS schemes under both ideal and non-ideal channel propagation conditions, in terms of localization error and localization ratio. The simulation results show that our proposed scheme is much more efficient than the 2D-ALS.