Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Localization algorithms of Wireless Sensor Networks: a survey

  • Published:
Telecommunication Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), localization is one of the most important technologies since it plays a critical role in many applications, e.g., target tracking. If the users cannot obtain the accurate location information, the related applications cannot be accomplished. The main idea in most localization methods is that some deployed nodes (landmarks) with known coordinates (e.g., GPS-equipped nodes) transmit beacons with their coordinates in order to help other nodes localize themselves. In general, the main localization algorithms are classified into two categories: range-based and range-free. In this paper, we reclassify the localization algorithms with a new perspective based on the mobility state of landmarks and unknown nodes, and present a detailed analysis of the representative localization algorithms. Moreover, we compare the existing localization algorithms and analyze the future research directions for the localization algorithms in WSNs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Akyildiz, I.F., & Su, W. (2002). Wireless sensor networks: a survey. Computer Networks, 38(4), 393–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Baggio, A., & Langendoen, K. (2008). Monte Carlo localization for mobile wireless sensor networks. Ad Hoc Networks, 6(5), 718–733.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Buckley, F., & Lewinter, M. (2002). A friendly introduction to graph theory (pp. 1–7). New York: Prentice Hall Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Bulusu, N., Heidemann, J., & Estrin, D. (2000). GPS-less low-cost outdoor localization for very small devices. IEEE Wireless Communications, 7(5), 28–34.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Chen, H. (2008). Novel centroid localization algorithm for three-dimensional wireless sensor networks. In Proc. of the 4th international conference on IEEE wireless communications (pp. 1–4).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chen, W., Li, W., & Heng, S. (2006). Weighted centroid localization algorithm based on RSSI for wireless sensor networks. Journal of Wu Han University of Technology, 30(2), 265–268.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Dai, G., Zhao, C., & Qiu, Y. (2008). A localization scheme based on sphere for wireless sensor network in 3D. Acta Electronics Sinica, 36(7), 1297–1303.

    Google Scholar 

  8. de Oliveira, H. A. B. F., Nakamura, E. F., & Loureiro, A. A. F. (2005). Directed position estimation: a recursive localization approach for wireless sensor networks. In Proceeding of the 14th international conference on communications and networks (pp. 557–562).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Girod, L., & Estrin, D. (2001). Robust range estimation using acoustic and multimodal sensing. In Proc. of the IEEE robotics and automation society (pp. 1312–1320).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Girod, L., Bychovskiy, V., Elson, J., & Estrin, D. (2002). Locating tiny sensors in time and space: a case study. In B. Wemer (Ed.), Proc. of the 2002 IEEE int’l conf. on computer design: VLSI in computers and processors, Freiburg (pp. 214–219). Los Alamitos: IEEE Computer Society.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  11. Han, G., Choi, D., & Lim, W. (2009). Reference node placement and selection algorithm based on trilateration for indoor sensor networks. Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing, 9, 1017–1027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Hao, Y. (2006). Target localization and track based on the energy source. Master’s thesis, Fudan University.

  13. Harter, A., Hopper, A., Steggles, P., & Ward, P. (1999). The anatomy of a context-awe application. In Proc. of the 5th annual ACM/IEEE int’l conf. on mobile computing and networking, Seattle (pp. 59–68). New York: ACM Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. He, T., Huang, C. D., & Blum, B. M. (2003). Range-free localization schemes in large scale sensor networks. In Proceeding of the 9th annual international conference on mobile computing and networking (MobiCom) (pp. 81–95).

    Google Scholar 

  15. Hu, L., & Evans, D. (2004). Localization for mobile sensor networks. In Proceeding of the 10th annual international conference on mobile computing and networking (MobiCom) (pp. 45–57).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hu, Z., Gu, D., & Song, Z. (2008). Localization in wireless sensor networks using a mobile anchor node. In Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE/ASME international conference on advanced intelligent mechatronics (pp. 602–607).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Huang, R., & Zaruha Gergety, V. (2007). Static path planning for mobile beacons to localize sensor networks. In Proc of IEEE pervasive computing and communication (pp. 323–330).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Koutsonikolas, D., Das, S. M., & Hu, Y. C. (2007). Path planning of mobile landmarks for localization in wireless sensor networks. Computer Communications, 30(13), 577–2592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Kuang, X., Shao, H., & Feng, R. (2008). A new distributed localization scheme for wireless sensor networks. Acta Automatica Sinica, 34(2), 344–348.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Lai, X., Wang, J., & Zeng, G. (2008). Distributed positioning algorithm based on centroid of three-dimension graph for wireless sensor networks. System Simulation Technology, 20(15), 4104–4111.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lazos, L., & Poovendran, R. (2006). HiRLoc: high-resolution robust localization for wireless sensor networks. IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 24(2), 233–246.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Li, C. (2006). Wireless sensor network self-positioning technology. Southwest Jiao tong University, Master Thesis, pp. 15–21.

  23. Li, X., Xu, Y., & Ren, F. (2007). Wireless sensor network technology (pp. 191–218). Beijing: Beijing Institute of Technology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Li, S., Xu, C., & Yang, Y. (2008). Getting mobile beacon path for sensor localization. Journal of Software, 19(2), 455–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Li, H., Bu, Y., & Han, X. (2009). Path planning for mobile anchor node in localization for wireless sensor networks. Journal of Computer Research and Development 46(1), 129–136.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Li, J., Wang, K., & Li, L. (2009). Weighted centroid localization algorithm based on intersection of anchor circle for wireless sensor network. Journal of Ji Lin University Engineering and Technology, 39(6), 1649–1653.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Li, Z., Wei, Z., & Xu, F. (2009). Enhanced centroid localization algorithm and performance analysis of wireless sensor networks. Sensors and Actuators 22(4), 563–566.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Lin, J., Liu, H., & Li, G. (2009). Study for improved DV-Hop localization algorithm in WSN. Application Research of Computers, 26(4), 1272–1274.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Liu, Y. (2008). Distributed mobile localization algorithms of WSN. Master’s thesis, Hunan Technology University, pp. 32–35.

  30. Liu, K., Wang, S., & Zhang, F. (2005). Efficient localized localization algorithm for wireless sensor networks. In Proc. 5th international conference on computer and information technology (pp. 21–23).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Liu, T., Chen, H., & Li, G. (2009). Biomimetic robot fish self-positioning based on Angle and acceleration sensor technology. In Robot technology and application (pp. 2–6).

    Google Scholar 

  32. Liu, M., Wang, T., & Zhou, Z. (2009). Self-localization algorithm for sensor networks of sparse anchors. Computer Engineering, 35(22), 119–121.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Lu, K., Zhang, J., & Wang, G. (2007). Localization for mobile node based on sequential Monte Carlo. Journal of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 33(8), 886–889.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Luo, R. C., Chen, O., & Pan, S. H. (2005). Mobile user localization in wireless network using grey prediction method. In The 32nd annual conference of IEEE industrial electronics society (pp. 2680–2685).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Lv, L., Cao, Y., Gao, X., & Luo, H. (2006). Three dimensional localization schemes based on sphere intersections in wireless sensor network (pp. 48–51). Beijing: Beijing Posts and Telecommunications University.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Mainwaring, A., Polluters, J., & Szewczyk, R. (2002). Wireless networks for habitat monitoring. In Proceeding of the lst ACM international workshop on wireless sensor networks and applications (pp. 88–97).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  37. Martninez, K., Hart, J. K., & Stdanov, J. (2004). A sensor web for glaciers. In Proc. European workshop sensor networks (EWSN’04), Berlin, Germany (pp. 1–4).

    Google Scholar 

  38. Meng, Z., & Song, B. (2009). HWC localization algorithm of wireless sensor network. Computer Engineering, 35(7), 104–109.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Neuwinger, B., Witkowski, U., & Ruckert, U. (2009). Ad-hoc communication and localization system for mobile robots. In Lecture notes in computer science (pp. 220–229). Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Niculescu, D., & Nath, B. (2003). DV based positioning in ad hoc networks. Journal of Telecommunication Systems, 22(14), 267–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Niculescu, D., & Nath, B. (2003). Ad hoc positioning system (APS) using AoA. In Proc. of the IEEE computer and communications societies (pp. 17–34).

    Google Scholar 

  42. Ogawa, T., Yoshino, S., Shimizu, M., & Suda, H. (2003). A new in-door location detection method adopting learning algorithms. In Proc. of the 1st IEEE international conference on pervasive computing and communications (pp. 525–530).

    Google Scholar 

  43. Ou, C., & Ssu, K. (2008). Sensor position determination with flying anchors in three-dimensional wireless sensor networks. IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, 7(9), 1084–1097.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Qin, W., Feng, Y., & Zhang, X.-T. (2009). Localization algorithm for wireless sensor network based on characteristics of energy attenuation. Journal of Chinese Computer Systems, 30(6), 1082–1088.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Qiu, Y., Zhao, C., & Dai, G. (2008). Wireless sensor network node position technology. Computer Science 35(5), 47–50.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Rui, L. (2008). Underwater GPS location technology. Xi’an Electronic Science and Technology University, Master’s thesis (pp. 47–51).

  47. Shu, J., Liu, L., & Chen, Y. (2009). A novel three-dimensional localization algorithm in wireless sensor networks, wireless communications, networking and mobile computing. In Proc. 5th international conference on wireless communications (pp. 24–29).

    Google Scholar 

  48. Sun, L., Li, J., & Yu, C. (2005). Wireless sensor network (pp. 135–150). Beijing: Tsinghua University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Sun, P., Zhao, H., & Han, G. (2007). Chaos triangle compliant localization reference node selection algorithm. Journal of Computer Research and Development, 44(12), 1987–1995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Tian, H., Chengdu, H., & Blum, B. M. (2003). Range free localization schemes for large scale sensor networks. In The annual international conference on mobile computing and networking (pp. 81–95).

    Google Scholar 

  51. Uchiyama, A., Fuji, S., & Maeda, K. (2007). Ad-hoc localization in urban district. In IEEE international conference on computer communications (pp. 2306–2310).

    Google Scholar 

  52. Wang, D. (2006). Localization of wireless sensor network. Southwest Jiao tong University, Master Thesis (pp. 37–45).

  53. Wang, F., Shi, L., & Ren, F. (2005). Self-localization systems and algorithms for wireless sensor networks. Journal of Software, 16(5), 858–859.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Wang, S., Hu, F., & Qu, X. (2007). Wireless sensor networks theory and applications (pp. 142–164). Beijing: Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Wang, G., Tian, W., & Jia, W. (2007). Location update based on local routing protocol for wireless sensor networks. High-tech Communications, 17(6), 563–568.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Wang, J., Huang, L., & Xu, H. (2008). A novel range free localization scheme based on Voronoi diagrams in wireless sensor networks. Journal of Computer Research and Development 45(1), 119–125.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Wang, Y., Huang, L., & Xiao, M. (2009). Localization algorithm for wireless sensor network based on RSSI verification. Journal of Chinese Computer Systems, 30(1), 59–62.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Yu, H., Chen, X., & Fan, J. (2007). Gauss-Newton method based on energy target localization. Computer Engineering and Applications, 43(27), 124–126.

    Google Scholar 

  59. Yu, G., Yu, F., & Feng, L. (2008). A three dimensional localization algorithm using a mobile anchor node under wireless channel. In International joint conference on neural networks (pp. 477–483).

    Google Scholar 

  60. Zhang, L., Zhou, X., & Cheng, Q. (2006). Landscape-3D: a robust localization scheme for sensor networks over complex 3D terrains. In Proceedings of 31st annual IEEE conference on local computer networks (LCN) (pp. 239–246).

    Google Scholar 

  61. Zhao, H., Feng, Y., Luo, J., & Yang, K. (2007). Mobile node localization algorithm of wireless sensor network. Journal of Hunan University of Science and Technology, 34(8), 74–77.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Zheng, S., Kai, L., & Zheng, Z. H. (2008). Three dimensional localization algorithm based on nectar source localization model in wireless sensor network. Application Research of Computers, 25(8), 2512–2513.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Information & Communication Systems, Hohai University, Changzhou, China

    Guangjie Han, Huihui Xu & Jinfang Jiang

  2. Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden

    Trung Q. Duong

  3. Department of Multimedia Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan

    Takahiro Hara

Authors
  1. Guangjie Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Huihui Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Trung Q. Duong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jinfang Jiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Takahiro Hara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guangjie Han.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Han, G., Xu, H., Duong, T.Q. et al. Localization algorithms of Wireless Sensor Networks: a survey. Telecommun Syst 52, 2419–2436 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11235-011-9564-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11235-011-9564-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation