Abstract:

In this article, hybrid TOA/RSS and TDOA/RSS location estimation schemes, suitable for short-range networks, such as WiFi, Ultra-wideband (UWB), Bluethooth or Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), are examined. First, fundamental theoretical bounds on the estimation accuracy of these schemes are analyzed. Then, a practical Imprementation of the TDOA/RSS hybrid location estimation scheme for partially synchronized WSN is proposed. The performance trade-off involving the number of synchronized and non-synchronized devices involved, and geometric positioning of the reference devices is finally discussed. The hybrid approach to location estimation has the potential of becoming the winning strategy for the design of positioning systems for WSN.