An analysis of node localization error behavior in wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Localizing the sensor nodes is a fundamental problem in wireless sensor networks (WSN). In this paper, we explore the localization error behavior with respect to the network setup and measurement noise in case of using range measurement to localize the network. Our analysis is based on analytical bounds for the covariance given by the CRB. We expand the classical application CRB to a formulation which allows us to compute the uncertainty associated with the node for the case of beacon with uncertain positions, and then develop a fundamental understanding of how network setup parameters and measurement noise affect the error behavior in node position estimates. The goal of this paper is to quantify the network setup parameters and measurements for minimizing the node location error in WSN application. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.