Cluster-Based Ranging for Accurate Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks

A novel ranging technique based on received signal strength (RSS) and suitable to indoor scenarios is illustrated. In the proposedtechnique, multiple power measurements, associated with the signals radiated by a cluster of nodes surrounding a given target,are jointly processed to improve the quality of RSS-based estimation of the distance between the target and an anchor. Specificalgorithms for the generation of a cluster and for the acquisition of power measurements are described. Simulation results showthat, when used in indoor positioning systems, the proposed ranging technique is substantiallymore accurate than noncooperativestrategies. In addition, it allows to concentrate significant processing tasks in a limited number of fixed anchors, so reducingmaintenance costs and making it possible to adopt cheap and simple portable wireless nodes.