Optimized path planning mechanism for localization in wireless sensor networks

Localization is the fundamental research issue in wireless sensor networks because many sensor network applications such as search & rescue operations, target tracking require the accurate position information where the event has acquired for further processing & communication activities. The localization can be done using beacon node with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver which is mobile. The main challenge is the trajectory followed by mobile beacon node. The beacon node follows the `z´ trajectory in the existing approach. The beacon node moves in `z´ path rather than moving in random movement in order to avoid collinear problem and reduce the energy consumption of the beacon node. But it has some drawbacks such as high path length, high localization time and transmission range of beacon node. These drawbacks are overcome in the proposed solution by following the optimized trajectory called as modified `z´ trajectory. Implementation of path planning mechanism was done with the help of QualNet 5.0.2 network simulator.