Improving RSSI based distance estimation for wireless sensor networks

Abstract

In modern everyday life we see gradually increasing number of wireless sensor devices. In some cases it is necessary to know the accurate location of the devices. Most of the usual techniques developed to get this information require a lot of resources (power, bandwidth, computation, extra hardware) which small embedded devices cannot afford. Therefore techniques, using small resources without the need for extra hardware, need to be developed. Wireless sensor networks are often used inside buildings. In such environment satellite positioning is not available. As a consequence, the location computation must be done in network-based manner.

In this thesis a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) based distance estimation technique for 802.15.4 network based on CC2431 radio is discussed. In this approach we try to differentiate between good and erroneous measurements by imposing limits based on standard deviation of RSSI and the number of lost packets. These limits are included as a part of the model parameter estimation process. These limits are optimized in order to improve the resulting distance estimates with minimum loss of connectivity information. We experimentally evaluated the merits of the proposed method and found it to be useful under certain circumstances.