Title: Error analysis of range-based localisation algorithms in wireless sensor networks

Authors: Jianying Zheng; Yu-e Sun; Yan Huang; Yiming Wang; Yang Xiao

Addresses: School of Urban Trail Transportation, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China. ' School of Urban Trail Transportation, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China. ' School of Electronics Information, Suzhou Vocational University, Suzhou 215021, China. ' School of Urban Trail Transportation, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China. ' Department of Computer Science, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0290, USA

Abstract: Location information is essential when dealing with Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). This paper focuses on the error analysis of range-based localisation algorithms in WSNs. The error of range-based localisation algorithms is mainly derived from the measurement error. As seen through prior literature, researchers often assume similar measuring noise, which is not rational in practice. However, the attempt in this process is to locate the error characteristic when the measurement noise is different. By a large number of simulation experiments, this paper has obtained the quantitative relationship between the location accuracy and the measurement errors occurring when all measurement data meets the same noise conditions. In addition, we provide analysis of the different effects of distance measurement error on the location estimation error of unknown sensor nodes. Users are able to recognise the effect of the measurement error characteristic on the localisation accuracy, and to design localisation algorithms more effectively.

Keywords: wireless sensor networks; WSNs; location information; range-based localisation; error analysis; wireless networks; simulation; measurement errors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSNET.2012.050074

International Journal of Sensor Networks, 2012 Vol.12 No.2, pp.78 - 88

Published online: 26 Oct 2012 *

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