Wireless Positioning and Location Determination

Northern Illinois University
posted on 03/23/2010

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In wireless sensor networks (WSN), exact location and position information acquisition is critical for both performance and efficiency of network performance. The sensing of data without accurate positioning is limiting. This innovative WSN method utilizes two types of nodes. Reference nodes with known locations transmit linear frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) signals while general sensor nodes estimate the range difference to reference nodes based on the received signals "frequency difference." Exact location information is then obtained by solving a set of hyperbolic equations and does not require the synchronizations of traditional GPS systems. Excellent performance and accuracy is obtained by utilizing the linear frequency modulation continuous wave (FMCW) and frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) techniques.

civilian and military areas; environmental monitoring and protection; tragedy rescue; wild animal protection

cost-effective, scalable, and easily implemented; does not rely on satellites; can be used in urban areas, indoors, tunnels, mountainous and forested areas; more adaptable to portable and wearable devices