Indoor Cooperative Localization for Ultra Wideband Wireless Sensor Networks

In recent years there has been growing interest in ad-hoc and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for a variety of indoor applications. Localization information in these networks is an enabling technology and in some applications it is the main sought after parameter. The cooperative localization performance of WSNs is ultimately constrained by the behavior of the utilized ranging technology in dense cluttered indoor environments. Recently, ultra-wideband (UWB) Time-of-Arrival (TOA) based ranging has exhibited potential due to its large bandwidth and high time resolution. However, the performance of its ranging and cooperative localization capabilities in dense indoor multipath environments needs to be further investigated. Of main concern is the high probability of non-line of sight (NLOS) and Direct Path (DP) blockage between sensor nodes, which biases the TOA estimation and degrades the localization performance. In this dissertation, we first present the results of measurement and modeling of UWB TOA-based ranging in different indoor multipath environments. We provide detailed characterization of the spatial behavior of ranging, where we focus on the statistics of the ranging error in the presence and absence of the DP and evaluate the pathloss behavior in the former case which is important for indoor geolocation coverage characterization. Parameters of the ranging error probability distributions and pathloss models are provided for different environments: traditional office, modern office, residential and manufacturing floor; and different ranging scenarios: indoor-to-indoor (ITI), outdoor-to-indoor (OTI) and roof-to-indoor (RTI). Based on the developed empirical models of UWB TOA-based OTI and ITI ranging, we derive and analyze cooperative localization bounds for WSNs in the different indoor multipath environments. First, we highlight the need for cooperative localization in indoor applications. Then we provide comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting localization accuracy such as network and ranging model parameters. Finally we introduce a novel distributed cooperative localization algorithm for indoor WSNs. The Cooperative LOcalization with Quality of estimation (CLOQ) algorithm integrates and disseminates the quality of the TOA ranging and position information in order to improve the localization performance for the entire WSN. The algorithm has the ability to reduce the effects of the cluttered indoor environments by identifying and mitigating the associated ranging errors. In addition the information regarding the integrity of the position estimate is further incorporated in the iterative distributed localization process which further reduces error escalation in the network. The simulation results of CLOQ algorithm are then compared against the derived G-CRLB, which shows substantial improvements in the localization performance

Performance of TOA Estimation Algorithms in Different Indoor Multipath Conditions

Using Time of Arrival (TOA) as ranging metric is the most popular technique for accurate indoor positioning. Accuracy of measuring the distance using TOA is sensitive to the bandwidth of the system and the multipath condition between the wireless terminal and the access point. In a telecommunication-specific application, the channel is divided into Line of Sight (LOS) and Obstructed Line of Sight (OLOS) based on the existence of physical obstruction between the transmitter and receiver. In indoor geolocation application, with extensive multipath conditions, the emphasis is placed on the behavior of the first path and the channel conditions are classified as Dominant Direct Path (DDP), Nondominant Direct Path (NDDP) and Undetected Direct Path (UDP). In general, as the bandwidth increases the distance measurement error decreases. However, for the so called UDP conditions the system exhibits substantially high distance measurement errors that can not be eliminated with the increase in the bandwidth of the system. Based on existing measurements performed in CWINS, WPI a measurement database that contains adequate number of measurement samples of all the different classification is created. Comparative analysis of TOA estimation in different multipath conditions is carried out using the measurement database. The performance of super-resolution and traditional TOA estimation algorithms are then compared in LOS, OLOS DDP, NDDP and UDP conditions. Finally, the analysis of the effect of system bandwidth on the behavior of the TOA of the first path is presented

Cooperative Localization Bounds for Indoor Ultra-Wideband Wireless Sensor Networks

In recent years there has been growing interest in ad-hoc and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for a variety of indoor applications. Localization information in these networks is an enabling technology and in some applications it is the main sought after parameter. the cooperative localization performance of WSNs is constrained by the behavior of the utilized ranging technology in dense cluttered indoor environments. Recently, ultra-wideband (UWB) Time-of-Arrival (TOA) based ranging has exhibited potential due to its large bandwidth and high time resolution. the performance of its ranging and cooperative localization capabilities in dense indoor multipath environments, however, needs to be further investigated. of main concern is the high probability of non-line of sight (NLOS) and Direct Path (DP) blockage between sensor nodes which biases the TOA estimation and degrades the localization performance. In this paper, based on empirical models of UWB TOA-based Outdoor-to-Indoor (OTI) and Indoor-to-Indoor (ITI) ranging, we derive and analyze cooperative localization bounds for WSNs in different indoor multipath environments: residential, manufacturing floor, old office and modern office buildings. First, we highlight the need for cooperative localization in indoor applications. Then we provide comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting localization accuracy such as network and ranging model parameters

Cooperative Localization Bounds for Indoor Ultra-Wideband Wireless Sensor Networks

In recent years there has been growing interest in ad-hoc and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for a variety of indoor applications. Localization information in these networks is an enabling technology and in some applications it is the main sought after parameter. The cooperative localization performance of WSNs is constrained by the behavior of the utilized ranging technology in dense cluttered indoor environments. Recently, ultra-wideband (UWB) Time-of-Arrival (TOA) based ranging has exhibited potential due to its large bandwidth and high time resolution. The performance of its ranging and cooperative localization capabilities in dense indoor multipath environments, however, needs to be further investigated. Of main concern is the high probability of non-line of sight (NLOS) and Direct Path (DP) blockage between sensor nodes which biases the TOA estimation and degrades the localization performance. In this paper, based on empirical models of UWB TOA-based Outdoor-to-Indoor (OTI) and Indoor-to-Indoor (ITI) ranging, we derive and analyze cooperative localization bounds for WSNs in different indoor multipath environments: residential, manufacturing floor, old office and modern office buildings. First, we highlight the need for cooperative localization in indoor applications. Then we provide comprehensive analysis of the factors affecting localization accuracy such as network and ranging model parameters

Geolocation Techniques - Principles and Applications

Geolocation Techniques: Principles and Applications provides a comprehensive overview of geolocation technologies and techniques, from radio-frequency based to inertial based. The focus of this book is to provide an overview on the different types of infra-structure supported by most commercial localization systems as well as on the most popular computational techniques which these systems employ. This book can serve as a reference for scholarly activities such as teaching, self-learning, or research

NLOS Channel Identification and Mitigation in Ultra Wideband ToA-Based Wireless Sensor Networks

Recently, Ultra Wideband (UWB) Time of Arrival(ToA)-based localization in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs)have received considerable attention. For a typical WSN operating in indoor environments, the localization performance can be degraded considerably due to the existence of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) channel conditions between the sensor nodes. In these channel conditions the ranging accuracy is degraded due to the attenuation and/or loss of the Direct Path (DP) signal which ultimately imposes a positive bias on the ToA-based distance estimation. As a result there is a need for robust algorithms that have the capability to identify and mitigate those NLOS ranging conditions. In this paper, we propose a novel, low complexity wireless channel condition estimation algorithm that identifies the condition of the channel. Based on the estimated ToA and Received Signal Strength (RSS) the algorithm identifies the channel condition which can be either LOS, NLOS-DP available, or NLOS-DP not available. A channel measurement campaign was conducted in an office environment and the measurement results confirms the validity of our algorithm. To integrate our channel condition estimation into the localization schemes, we propose two weight assignment schemes which generate either a ¨soft weightör a ¨hard weight ¨. Simulation results show that our estimator has robust performance with success rate of 85%. The simulations also show that by taking advantage of the channel condition estimation, we are able to reduce the RMSE of the localization estimate by over 40%. IEEE Proceeding

Using UWB Measurements for Statistical Analysis of the Ranging Error in Indoor Multipath Environment,” accepted for publication

Abstract: In this paper we use UWB measurements for bandwidths up to 3GHz to present a framework for statistical modeling of the indoor radio channel propagation characteristics that are pertinent to precise indoor geolocation using time-of-arrival (TOA) estimations. Accuracy of indoor geolocation systems relies on the strength and TOA of the direct path (DP) in the channel profile. Based on UWB measurements in a typical office building, we introduce empirical models for the path-loss and TOA of the DP. We use path-loss model for the DP to analyze the occurrence of the undetected direct path (UDP) conditions which cause large errors in indoor geolocation systems. Then we introduce a novel statistical model for the ranging or distance measurement error (DME) which is needed for comparative performance evaluation of the indoor positioning algorithms. The DME is a function of the bandwidth of the system, occurrence of the UDP conditions, and the distance between the transmitter and the receiver

Geolocation TechniquesPrinciples and Applications /

XII, 287 p. 145 illus., 19 illus. in color.onlin