Localization in resource constrained sensor networks using a mobile beacon with in-ranging

In this paper, we provide a mechanism for the problem of localization in resource constrained sensor networks by extending the principles of in-range technique using a mobile beacon. The main advantage of this mechanism is that, it inherits all the advantages of in-range technique, eliminates the need to deploy beacons in the sensor network and satisfy the requirements of localization algorithms for the sensor networks. Location awareness of sensor nodes plays a critical role in most of the sensor network applications. Our mechanism assumes only a basic communication capability of sensor nodes and does not require any additional infrastructure. We employ a single mobile beacon equipped with a GPS receiver for localization. Each broadcast position of the mobile beacon acts as a stationary beacon at that point (known as a virtual beacon) thereby eliminating the need to deploy GPS equipped beacons in the sensor network. The motion of the mobile beacon localizes some of the sensor nodes, which in turn aid in localization of their neighbors using the iterative in-range technique. Simulation results are presented to evaluate the performance of the proposed mechanism. An implementation on sensor network of MICA2 motes is used to evaluate the functionality of the proposed algorithm