iTracking: Accurate light-based location-tracking in wireless sensor networks

Most previous localization and tracking systems in wireless sensor networks are based on RF signals, ultrasounds, and UWB. However, systems using RF signals suffer accuracy fluctuations and systems using ultrasound or UWB need extra hardware. In our paper, we propose to utilize light, an easily accessible and pervasive resource in our daily life, and off-the-shelf TelosB Motes to achieve the goal of stability and high accuracy in localization and tracking. The iTracking system is a mobile light source location-tracking system based on light intensity. Our main contribution is the first demonstration to track mobile light sources based on light intensity with high accuracy, which may provide an alternative method for localization and tracking or inspire game designers. We examine point light based tracking and flashlight based tracking in our demonstrations, which proves these two main sources of light in our daily life can achieve centimeter-level location-tracking requirements. Our future work will focus on enabling the iTracking system to writing Chinese characters in flashlight.