Title: EGL: efficient geometry-based localisation in wireless sensor networks

Authors: Ali Sayyed; Gustavo Medeiros De Araújo; Leandro Buss Becker

Addresses: Department of Automation and Systems Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil ' Department of Computing, Campus Araranguá, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88906-072, Brazil ' Department of Automation and Systems Engineering, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC 88040-900, Brazil

Abstract: Localisation of sensor nodes deployed randomly is one of the most challenging issues in wireless sensor networks. Position information of nodes helps in effective coverage, routing, data collection, target tracking, and event detection. This paper describes a localisation scheme where an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) unit scans the sensing field while periodically broadcasting its current position. The sensor nodes estimate three boundary points on its communication circle and then, using simple geometry rules, estimate their location. The scheme neither requires extra hardware nor any interaction for ordinary sensor nodes with their neighbours. Several enhancements, including detection and correction of boundary points errors, are explained. This scheme is accurate and efficient enough to tolerate obstacles in the sensing field. Simulation results show that localisation accuracy can be adjusted by properly selecting UAV speed and beacon interval along with the UAV scan pattern.

Keywords: WSNs; wireless sensor networks; mobility; localisation; positioning; geometry; mobile node; UAV; mobile beacon; RSSI; received signal strength indication.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSNET.2017.087896

International Journal of Sensor Networks, 2017 Vol.25 No.4, pp.218 - 228

Received: 12 Mar 2016
Accepted: 02 Jun 2016
Published online: 07 Nov 2017 *

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