A new localization and Accuracy Analyzer for Wireless Sensor Networks using defective observations

The development of energy aware and precise localization algorithms is a challenging task in the development of wireless sensor networks (WSN). The achievable precision of the algorithms strongly depends on the accuracy of the measured observations (e.g. time of signal flight or received signal strength). In reality, observations are highly defective due to multiple effects (e.g. signal propagation). The geometrical conditions within the network can also affect the precision. It is therefore important to take the real characteristics of the observations into account as early as possible. This paper presents a new simulation tool to test geometrical conditions, different localization algorithms and measurements in WSNs either in the planing phase or after the localization process. Furthermore this tool enables the detection of outliers, to make accuracy statements and to analyze the determined position.