Algorithms and Models for Positioning and Scheduling in Wireless Sensor Networks
Doktorsavhandling, 2008
This thesis considers two problems related to wireless
sensor networks.
The first (and main) considered problem is the inference of sensor
node positions based on transmissions of RF signals between sensor
nodes and/or between sensor nodes and fixed reference nodes. We
study the Cramér-Rao lower bound on positioning errors in
asynchronous wireless sensor networks, and propose positioning
algorithms tailored for implementation in these types of networks.
In addition to positioning algorithms, we also study algorithms
for the estimation of distance between network transceivers based
on transmitted wide-band RF signals, and consider the interaction
between the ranging and the positioning algorithm. In the
algorithm design, we aim for low complexity and robustness against
the most common types of error sources, including errors caused by
blocked (non-line-of-sight) RF channels, and/or multipath
propagation. On a side-track, we study the feasibility of
characterizing the surrounding environment in which a wide-band
wireless sensor network is deployed. This characterization is done
in terms of the approximate location of reflective objects that
generate significant multi-path components and/or
amplify-and-forward relays.
The second problem we consider is a scheduling problem that
appears not only in wireless sensor networks, but also in other
wireless networks. We propose a relatively simple model for
packet-loss in a Rayleigh fading environment, and use this model
in an attempt to schedule transmissions in the network so as to
minimize the average probability of packet-loss. Since wireless
sensor nodes often only have a limited energy source, and packet
retransmissions consume energy, this problem is especially
important in the context of wireless sensor networks.
HC1, Hörsalsvägen 14, Chalmers Univ. Tech.
Opponent: Ass. Prof. Neal Patwari, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Utah, USA