Localization in Wireless Sensor Network Using a Mobile Anchor in Obstacle Environment

This paper presents localization in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in presence of obstacles using a mobile anchor. The proposed scheme uses a mobile anchor, which finds its location via global positioning system (GPS). The mobile anchor broadcasts its coordinate while it navigates through sensing region. The static sensor nodes receive beacon messages when the mobile anchor and sensor nodes have overlapping signals. The sensor nodes process the beacon messages to find their own coordinates using location of the anchor. The anchor moves in a snake-like method, which consumes less energy compare to the other approaches such as random methods. In this method the need for specific ranging hardware is eliminated on the sensor nodes. This elimination voids the communication requirement between sensor nodes. Further, the presence of obstacles in the environment has almost no effect on the output of the system causes the obstacle can be detected by the mobile anchor. In their project, Castalia simulator is used for the simulation and validation purpose. The output of the simulation results of localization problem confirm less localization error and less energy consumption over other range free solution using mobile anchor considering an extensive variety of network conditions.