A Survey on Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks

PhD Qualifying Examination


Title: "A Survey on Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks"

Mr. Zheng YANG


Abstract:

Recent technological advances have enabled the development of low-cost,
low-power, and multifunctional sensor devices. These nodes are autonomous
devices with integrated sensing, processing, and communication
capabilities. In general, wireless sensor networks intend to provide
information on spatio-temporal characteristics of the observed physical
world. Hence, it is necessary to associate sensed data with locations,
making data geographically meaningful. A number of applications, such as
object tracking, environment monitoring, inherently rely on location
information. Besides, location information also supports fundamental
network layer services, such as topology control, routing, clustering, and
so on. Hence, Localization, a mechanism for autonomously discovering and
establishing spatial relationships among sensor nodes, is of great
importance in the development of wireless sensor networks.

This survey reviews diverse physical measuring abilities of sensor nodes,
discusses issues in localization algorithm design, presents the
state-of-the-art localization techniques, and finally suggests future
directions in localization studies. Many localization approaches are
proposed based on diverse positioning principles, environmental
constrains, accuracy requirements, etc., making them suitable/unsuitable
for different applications. This survey in depth elaborates and compares
existing approaches from two aspects: physical measurement and
network-wide localization. The design tradeoffs of localization
algorithms, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, are emphasized
for comparison. Among these localization techniques, no specific algorithm
is a clear favorite across the spectrum.  In conclusion, localization is a
new and exciting field, with new algorithms, hardware, and applications
being developed at a feverish pace. A lot of work still needs to be done
to realize practical applications for wireless sensor networks.


Date:     		Monday, 14 January 2008

Time:                   10:00a.m.-12:00noon

Venue:                  Room 3501
			lifts 25-26

Committee Members:      Dr. Yunhao Liu (Supervisor)
			Dr. Ke Yi (Chairperson)
			Prof. Mounir Hamdi
			Prof. Lionel Ni


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