LOCALIZATION IN WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK:

DESIGN APPROACH AND IMPLEMENTATION

MUHAMMAD FAROUQ BIN SUHAIMI

SCHOOL OF COMPUTER AND COMMUNICATION

ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PERLIS
2015

LOCALIZATION IN WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK:

DESIGN APPROACH AND IMPLEMENTATION

by

MUHAMMAD FAROUQ BIN SUHAIMI

Report submitted in partial fulfillment

of the requirements for the degree
of Bachelor of Computer Network Engineering

DECEMBER 2015

LIST OF CONTENTS

LIST OF CONTENTS....i-ii
LIST OF FIGURES.....iii
LIST OF TABLES...........iv

CHAPTER 1.......................................................................................................................... 1
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1
1.1

Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1

1.2

Problem Statement ................................................................................................... 2

1.3

Project Objective...................................................................................................... 2

1.4

Project Scope.2-3

1.5

Thesis Outline...3

CHAPTER 2.......................................................................................................................... 4
LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................... 4
2.1

Introduction .............................................................................................................. 4

2.2

Wireless Sensor Background.....4-9

2.2.1

Application and Challenges of Wireless Sensor Network ..........................9-10

2.2.2

Localization Overview ..............................................................................11-16

2.3

Related Work ....................................................................................................18-19

CHAPTER 3........................................................................................................................ 20
METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................. 20
3.1

Introduction ............................................................................................................ 20

3.2

Localization with Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) ................................ 21

3.3

OMNeT++ with MiXiM ...................................................................................22-25

3.3.1

Advantages and disadvantages of OMNeT++ with MiXiM ....25

3.4

Introduced Model ..............................................................................................26-27

3.5

Method and Model Scenario ............................................................................27-29

3.5.1

RSSI Localization technique Flowchart ......................................................... 30

3.5.2

Scenario and Parameter ................................................................................. 31

REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................32-34
APPENDIX

ii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1: Basic design of WSN ........................................................................................... 6

Figure 2.2: Architecture of a sensor node..........7
Figure 2.3: Sensor node .......................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2.4: WSN layer protocol ............................................................................................. 8
Figure 2.5: WSN Architecture ................................................................................................ 9
Figure 2.6: Localization Architecture................................................................................... 12
Figure 2.7: Localization Schemes ........................................................................................ 13
Figure 2.8: Categorizing Localization Technique ................................................................ 14
Figure 2.9: Classification of Range Based algorithm scheme.....15
Figure 2.10: Concept in Localization ................................................................................... 15
Figure 3.1: Interface of the OMNeT++ IDE with MiXiM ......22
Figure 3.2: Network Simulation ..24
Figure 3.3: Node Structure ......24
Figure 3.4: Model component of RSSI node Localization Data Flow.....28
Figure 3.5: Trilateration Method .....29
Figure 3.6: Model component in Trilateration Method ...29
Figure 3.7: Flowchart process of RSSI Localization ...30
Figure 3.8: Model scenario for Trilateration.....31

iii

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1: Differences of Range Based algorithms .....16

Table 2.2: Comparison of Range Free Algorithms......17

iv

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Introduction
Over the last few years, wireless sensor network technology has a fast expand

and have gained world-wide attention. WSNs have a better advantage of many
applications such as in the military such as target tracker and surveillance. An
environmental applications such as natural disaster relief, medical field, for example,
biomedical health monitoring, and unsafe environment exploration, seismic sensing and
some more. In military target tracker and observation, a WSN can assist and support in
distinguishing interruption and identification. With natural disasters, sensor nodes can
detect and sense the environment if there are any sign of disaster will occur before it
happens. This will help a lot on standby and alert if a disaster happens. In biomedical
application, surgical implants of sensors inside the human body can help and monitor
the human health. Lastly, for an earthquake-related sensing, a deploying sensor as an adhoc network type can help to detect and monitor signs of the earthquake and other
eruption. Localization is one of the techniques in WSN, where to know the location of
data and to determine the location of node sensors. It is very extremely important to find
and determine using a specialized algorithm.

1.2

Problem Statement
Localization in WSN is high importance in many social, industry and military

application. Exact localization it is demanded for crucial application. So, finding the
best technique of localization, based application, reflect the accuracy and look forward
to the best technique has to be used.

1.3

Project Objectives
The objective of this project can be summarized into:

1. To design a high accuracy localization technique based Wireless Sensor

Network.

2. To design a network model and simulate the localization technique and

validity purpose.

1.4

Project Scope
In order to achieve the objectives of the project, the scope of the project is

summarized as follows:
i.

Localization is one of technique in Wireless Sensor Network. It is important

to find and determine the sensor nodes location. In order to find the location
of sensor nodes, difference algorithm with an ad-hoc network are required.

ii.

OMNeT++ is an application for building network simulators. Design and

implement network simulation in Wireless Sensor Network to present the
localization technique.

iii.

Optimization is applied to increase the accuracy of localization in finding

and determining the location of sensor nodes.
2

1.5

Thesis Outline

This research is divided into three chapters. The contents of each chapter are
summarized as below:

Chapter one is an introduction which explains about Wireless Sensor Network

use in nowadays. It consists some overview of WSN in real life, problem statement,
project objective of the research and project scope which summarize the research is all
about, software use and so on.

Chapter two is a literature review which discusses more in Wireless Sensor

Network background, such as the application, component use in the Wireless Sensor
Network, for example, the sensor. In addition, this chapter explains in details on the
protocol used in WSN. In the other part of this chapter discusses the localization
technique in WSN, how the technique works and the component that are involved in this
technique, schemes localization and concept used in localization. Last but not lease,
some review of other people works is discussed in related work parts.

Chapter three is a methodology which first explains general about the rangebased localization scheme and the focus on RSSI technique that will be used as a
method or technique in this project. Moreover, chapter three will discuss in details of
OMNeT++ and MiXiM framework.

CHAPTER 2

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Introduction
This chapter elaborates the research on the technology of Wireless Sensor Network
and emphasizes the use of it in various applications. Explanation will be focused on the
related field of localization technique in WSN and wireless sensor network background.
Research and surveys have been conducted in order to design and implement Localization in
WSN. To achieve the aims and objective of this project, all the related research papers and
journals will be discussed in this chapter.

2.2 Wireless Sensor Network Background

The Wireless Sensor Network is a huge number sensor node (static or mobility) which
shape the network in wireless type. It is self-association, multi-hop technique and the reason
for existing is to detect, process and transmit the information in areas by monitoring the object
location [1]. WSN has an important application which is monitoring the environment and
track a target. This will give the advantage for the WSN because the sensors are small size,
low cost and smart. The sensor node also is integrated with wireless interface technology
where it can communicate each other to form a network [2].

Besides, it will collect data and process before direct send it to the nearest gateway or
sink node. A node in the sensor network consists of more than one sensor, a low power
consumption, mobility power supply type, and localization device, such as a GPS (Global
Positioning System). These nodes incorporate wireless transceivers so that communication
and networking are enabled.

Furthermore, it consists some sensor nodes working together in order to monitor an

area to obtain data about the surrounding conditions. Last but not least to one or more sensors,
each node in a WSN is usually integrated with a radio transceiver or other wireless hardware
device, communication device, and battery as a power supply source.

Figure 2.1: Basic design of WSN

A small device that consists of several essential components called sensor node. An
actuating unit, a processing unit, transceiver unit and power supply unit which is important for
Wireless Sensor Network. The sensor node furnished with the position detection unit such as
a position finding system such as GPS, a mobilizer and so on to determine the location in
every of each in purpose of communication.

The actuating unit, also called sensors are a component that is divided into two groups,
for example, analog sensor and digital sensor. The digital sensor produces data in a digital or
discrete form and for the analog signal, it produces data in continuous or in the waveform.
The data that produce will be sent to the processing unit to be converted into readable form. A
processing unit such as processors or embedded microprocessor, it is built inside with a
memory storage to store data. Random Access Memory (RAM) will store the data before sent
it, meanwhile ROM (Read Only Memory) only store OS (Operating System) used by the
sensor nodes [6].

The radio transceiver is a tiny component that has the ability to receive data or
information before sending it to other sensor nodes by

an using RF connection to

communicate each other. During the process of receiving data or transmission process, the
transceiver is the component used most of power inside the sensor nodes to function. Several
operation modes inside the transceiver that will save a lot of power in using it, such as
transmit, receive, idle and sleep. The power unit is the most important component inside the
sensor nodes. Without power, sensor nodes cannot work and operate with all the components.
The lifetime of a sensor node depends on the power unit [6].

There are different sorts of sensors, for example, seismic, thermal, visual, and infrared
are used to monitor a variety of surrounding conditions such as temperature, moisture,
pressure, movement of the object and living things and features of objects. Figure 2.2 shows
the overview and components of sensor nodes and Figure 2.3 show the actual image of sensor
nodes [4].

Figure 2.2: Architecture of a sensor node.

Figure 2.3: Sensor node

The major characteristics of WSN are self-organizing, dynamic network topology,

multi-hop route, node resource restricted, data driven and security issue. MAC network and
routing protocol are the important point in WSN protocol where, MAC protocol is a set of
rules and procedures of successful, well-organized and fairly. For routing protocol, it is in
charge for the data packets flow from source node sent to the destination node over a network
and transmit data according to the optimal path and complete the search for the best path [1].

Figure 2.4: WSN layer protocol

Figure 2.4 above shown the WSN layer protocol used by the sensor nodes. This protocol
mixes up together routing protocol and networking protocol. Many different types of
application that can design and build on the application layer. Software and hardware are in
the lowest layer transparently to the end-user made by this layer. It also helps to maintain the
flow of data.

For network layer, it receives and store the data that route from the transport layer and
set up a multi-hop wireless routing protocol between nodes and sink nodes. Next, data link
layer where it is responsible for multiplexing of data streams, frame detection and error
detection. The physical layer is modulation and demodulation of digital data, frequency
selection, encryption and decryption of data, and transmission and reception of the data [3].

Network Architecture is shown below in Figure 2.5, it comprised of sensor node (end
notes), router, sink node and placed in a large area called sensor node. Data information is
transmitted from sensor nodes sink through a multi-hop communication paradigm [5].

Figure 2.5: WSN Architecture

2.2.1 Application and Challenges of Wireless Sensor Network

Monitoring and tracking are the classifications of application of WSN. For example,
an application WSN has been extensively used in the medical field. One of its usages is in
promoting remote monitoring health care for patients. The system combines the medical
9

knowledge base wireless sensor network to upgrade the existing health care to stay in touch
with the medical officer, patient and authorized user.

Next, environmental and agriculture in wireless sensor network is one of its applications and
could be deployed and used in wildness areas, fire detection, nuclear reactor controlling,
traffic monitoring, etc. [1]. The significant advantage using WSN in environmental and
agriculture its will reduce cost and fast set up of the network due to self-organization
provided. Besides, no increase in power consumption and cost when collected data will be
carried through intermediate nodes. Next, the survivability and robustness of the network
meet specific applications.

Besides that, WSN application is used in the military as an important part in command
and control, communication, computing, battlefield surveillance and etc. In the military, it can
guide the area by monitoring the environment condition such as frequency vibrate, brightness
and area temperature. In addition, the sensor node can detect and trace the biological radiation
or any dangerous chemical exists in the area [1].

Moreover, ocean monitoring is one of application in a wireless sensor network that

bring advantage because it does not require base station in network connection and wireless
infrastructure, it makes the network use is very beneficial. The cost of the sensor node is
cheap so it can be applied in a large range of ocean and save the investment of the system if
undesirable thing happens to the sensor node. Through intensive deployment, a majority of
sensor nodes can communicate and cooperate each other to monitor the same waters, then by
analysis of excess information to make the result more accurate [1].

Traffic control and industrial environments are used in Wireless Sensor Network, such
as mine and nuclear power plant. By using a special sensor such as biological, a chemical
sensor, it will monitor the risk materials and hazardous substance information to reduce or
avoid the damage to the workers. Furthermore, it also can be used in many industries such as
10

electronic industries by monitoring the plant operation condition, identify the future problem
that will be able to reduce dead time, enhance the efficiency and make the equipment use for
long-lasting [1].

Otherwise, there is a limitation in wireless sensor network compared to other wired

connection. Where the complexity of logistics involving replacement of sensors that have
problem and ran out of energy or battery in large scale of wireless sensor network,
deployment of sensor networking a hostile environment by random distributed that is difficult
to know the topology of the sensor network, low speed of data rate transfer compare to wired
network, affected by surrounding or environments such as wall (blocking), interference by
others noise or unwanted signal and far distance between sensor nodes will cause attenuation.
In terms of security, inappropriate key distribution algorithm design which is not flexible to
secure wireless sensor network to provide encryption keys in real time.

2.2.2 Localization Overview

The essential function of a sensor network is to gather and transmit data to the
destination. The imperative in collecting data and information is to know where is the location
located. By using a localization technique in wireless sensor network, it can identify and
determine the location of sensor nodes with the help of various particular algorithms. It is
highly desirable to design low-cost, versatile, and efficient structure of localization for
wireless sensor network. Different scheme and algorithms of localization are used for static
sensor nodes and mobile sensor nodes [6].

11

Figure 2.6: LocalizationArchitecture

Localization technique to find the position of data and information, it is pointless if the
nodes have the unknown information about their location in the district area. Localized node
and un-localized node estimate their location by communicating each other to determine their
exact location and position. There are certain concept and method used in localization such as
Lateration, Trilateration, Multilateration, and Triangulation.

Figure 2.7 below shown many schemes and technique in localization, such as the
anchor-based and anchor-free localization schemes, Centralized and decentralized based
localization schemes, fine-grained based localization schemes, mobile sensor node
localization schemes and range based and range-free localization schemes.

12

Figure 2.7: Localization Schemes

Anchor based localization schemes, is a technique where the position of nodes is
known and it is called anchor nodes. The un-localized node can be determined the location
with the help of anchor nodes. High accuracy of the location of nodes depends on the number
of nodes.

For anchor-free localization schemes, it doesnt require the anchor node to

determine the location, so by using algorithm calculation the location of nodes can be
identified. Centralized localization technique where all information is transmitted to a central
node. Taking care of position computation of all nodes and circulates the information to the
respective node are the function of the base station or sink nodes. This scheme is low-cost
computation and low power consumption. Next, decentralized schemes technique calculates
and estimate the position individually by each sensor because there are no clustering for each
node to communicate with anchor nodes. Fine grained is an algorithm that use received signal
strength features of nodes. For mobile sensor node schemes, the sensors based algorithm are
required and most applications are using mobile sensor nodes [17].

There are two different types which are range based and range free of localization
technique schemes. Figure 2.8 below shown localization technique range based method uses
the range information to calculate the distance estimation and determine the distance between
each node. While for range free methods do not need specialized equipment device for
localization in determining the location of the nodes. However, it identified their distance and
range based on DV-hop or DV distance through the connectivity of each node [8].

13

Figure 2.8: Categorizing Localization Technique

These three main parameters help to compare the differences and similarities of all
technique which is accuracy, cost, and power or energy to be considered in implementing any
of localization technique schemes. Example for accuracy, medical and military application
are really concerned about the accuracy in monitoring health and intrusion detection. For the
cost, most of the technique and algorithm are mostly are high in cost. However, their
accuracy is very low in rate. For power, every sensor node is using the battery for power
supply which have limited in power. So power is also the major things to be considered [17].

In range-based localization, there are many algorithms to determine the range such as
RSSI (received signal strength indication), TOA (Time of arrival), TDOA (Time difference of
arrival) and AOA (Angle of arrival) by calculating the distance and with the support of
geometrical principle. The Figure 2.9 and Figure 2.10 below shown the classification of
range-based localization schemes with the concept use such as lateration, tri-lateration,
angulation, triangulation and multi-lateration [17].

14

Figure 2.9: Classification of Range Based algorithm scheme

Figure 2.10:Concept in Localization (a) Tri-lateration (b) Triangulation

(c) Multi-Lateration

The Angle of Arrival (AOA) is a scheme that using the triangulation method to find
the location of a un-localized node by estimating the relative angles between nodes that are
near to it (neighbor).Localization metrics called Time of Arrival (TOA), calculate the
wavelength in term of speed between sensor nodes to neighbors and determine time signal
pass through the un-localized node and anchor node. In addition, TOA used trilateration
method.

For TDOA which is Time Difference of Arrival, the sensor node consists of speaker
and microphone. When signals are transmitted to other nodes and with the help of the speaker,
the node will generate something called chirps. When the un-localized node receives a
signal, the microphone will be turned on and identify the incoming chirps that store a time
15

information. So the time information is used to determine the distance between nodes. Figure
2.11 below show the differences of a range-based algorithm that separated them by their
localization parameter such as accuracy, cost and energy efficiency [17].

Table 2.1: Differences of Range Based algorithms

Range Free localization schemes not require any calculation including angle and
distance. Used with wireless connection and DV-hop (Distance Vector) technique to
determine the location of sensor nodes. Furthermore, this range free technique is less accurate,
but it is low cost in many aspects compare to others. Every anchor node carries location
information with increment one of hop count.

There are two types in range-free localization technique, first is local technique and
the second is counting technique. Below this two technique, there are algorithms such as
Centroid Algorithm, HIRLOC (High-resolution Robust Localization), SERLOC (Secure
Range Independent Localization Algorithm), and ADLA (Active Distributed Localization
Algorithm). The Figure 2.12 below shows the comparison between all algorithms in certain
criteria.

16

Table2.2: Comparison of Range Free Algorithm

17

2.3

Related Work
Discuss and on the common attacks against localization, and survey research state of

secure localization. Example techniques are SeRLoc, HiRLoc and ROPE by Guanjie Han,
Jinfang, Chuan Zhu, Yuhui Dong and Na Zhang (2011), Secure Localization in Wireless
Sensor Networks. For example, techniques are SeRLoc, HiRLoc, and ROPE. The positive
side of this research is proposed secure localization schemes by improving security schemes
to enhance detection rate.

Ziguo Zhong and Tian He (2012), they propose in the Wireless Sensor Node
Localization by Multisequence processing (MSP), there are four optimizations to increase
localization accuracy. By listing several fascinating issues, for example, incomplete (partial)
node sequences and arrangement flip, found at the Mirage proving ground. They have
assessed the MSP system through hypothetical examination, extensive simulation as well as
two physical frameworks. Assessment established that MSP can accomplish an accurate
result, requiring neither extra excessive equipment on sensor nodes nor exact event
distribution.

Focuses on the localization techniques used by the sensor nodes to identify their
location. It also covered the different localization techniques used and their problems such as
security and energy and compare two techniques which are a range-based and range-free by
Jeril Kuriakose, Sandeep Joshi, and V.I. George (2013) in Localization in Wireless Sensor
Network: A Survey. As a result of their research, scalability of range-free localization
approach is more compared to range-based localization technique.

18

Babar. S and Ki-IL Kim (2014), Three-Dimensional Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor
Networks, their research on identifying the unique properties of communication environments
in three-dimensional space, discuss a background and application of AANETs and UWSNs
and survey on the airborne ad hoc network (AANETs) and underwater wireless sensor
networks (UWSNs). They also explain more about an advance in network design principle for
3D wireless ad hoc and sensor network.

Harsimran. K & Rohit. B (2015). Localization Techniques in Wireless Sensor

Networks. Works on techniques in localization in WSN which are a novel three-dimensional
localization DV-Hop algorithm (NTLDV-HOP), distance vector hop (DV-HOP), Received
Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) and the correction value based DV-HOP (RCDV) and
correction value based DV-HOP (CDV). By assessing all of these localization techniques for
their effectiveness in various situations on the basis of theoretical analysis.Toward the end of
their research, they proposed an algorithm that has been evaluated on the basis of the
connectivity and coverage issues required to be resolved in determining WSN localization.

19

CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1

Introduction
In range-based localization scheme of Wireless Sensor Network, estimating the

distance between nodes using measurement technique is adopted. In the steps of finding
and determining the distance of nodes and thus the position, signal propagation time and
power signal strength are used to calculate their anchors. These are also known as
Distance Estimation technique and it needs extra hardware to implement the
localization. Methods or techniques used in a range-based localization scheme are Angle
of Arrival (AOA), Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Time Difference of Arrival
(TDOA), and Time of Arrival (TOA) [8].

20

3.2

Localization with Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)

RSSI (Receive Signal Strength Indicator) is an algorithm used to determine and

estimate the distance of nodes via measurement techniques. The distance between the
transmitter and receiver is measured based on the signal strength indicator at the
receiver [6]. The propagation loss is very important in RSSI to determine or estimate the
distance by calculating and converting into distance estimation.

The signal strength depends on the distance between transmitter and receiver if
the distance is increased the power of signal strength is decreased. In addition,
propagation between transmitter and receiver can be affected by refraction, reflection
and scattering. The used of RSSI in an indoor environment may be affecting the
measured accuracy in order to detect and estimate the location of nodes. The main
advantage of RSSI is it doesnt require extra hardware in order to do a job, because in
almost all wireless equipment are compatible with RSSI technology features [18].

There are certain factors that affect the RSSI in estimating and determine the
distance between nodes that cause an error in localization and lower in accuracy. There
are two common types of error in RSSI, for example, device error and environmental
error. Examples of environmental error occur when it has interference with other RF
device, weather condition and so on. However, for device error because of calibration
errors and the device cannot operate normally [18].

21

3.3

OMNeT++ with MiXiM

In this section, explain the software or application use in designing the

simulation of RSSI technique in the localization of WSN. OMNet++ is an open source

component-based discrete event network simulator also a component-based architecture.
Simulation models are described in a programming language, for example, C++ and
then assembled into bigger components using Network Description (NED) language to
represent greater systems.

Other than that, OMNeT++ has graphical instruments for simulation things and
evaluating results in real time. OMNeT++ scales suitable for large scale of network
topologies, but without the proper simulation model or framework extensions, the
simulator lacks suitable protocols and proper energy modeling for sensor networks.
Several extensions, frameworks and simulators for WSN based on OMNeT++ such as
MiXiM, Castalia, Mobility Framework, EYES and many more. Additionally,
OMNeT++ provides specific editors for the simulations. The graphical NED editor and
INI file editor helps to edit the file with contains the configuration of simulation runs.

Figure 3.1: Interface of the OMNeT++ IDE with MiXiM

22

MiXiM provides detailed wireless channel models (fading, so on) and MAC
protocols, wireless connectivity, mobility, and obstacles. MiXiM simulates using the
OMNeT++ simulation engine for wireless and mobile network type. Moreover, it also
provides models for obstacles and many communication protocols, especially at the
Medium Access Control (MAC) level.

Supporting infrastructure can be divided into 5 categories, which are

environment model where it reflects the relevant parts of the real world, such as
obstacles or other elements which hinder wireless communication, connectivity and
mobility where there the movement of nodes and the variations on the influence
between nodes can be displayed in a graphical representation, reception and collision
where the reception handling is responsible for modeling how a transmitted signal
changes on its way to the receivers considering the movement of objects and nodes and
transmissions making by other senders, experiment support where it help in comparing
the result and support various evaluation methods and for protocol library, it enabled to
compare and share ideas.

The general structure of MiXiM shows two different parts: First is the simulation
modules where a MiXiM network contains an actual utility model which defines the
environment properties like the size of the terrain, the kind of terrain simulation (2D or
3D) and different objects to model the environment of a simulation. The
ConnectionManager module manages dynamically the connections between
interfering nodes, where the signal quality is based on the interferences and the
mobility. Finally, the nodes make up the network. MiXiM supports different kind of
nodes (like Access Points and terminals) with different properties. An example of a
MiXiM network is shown below in Figure 3.2.

23

Figure 3.2: Network Simulation

Second is the node structure, the nodes contain the modules according to the OSI
architecture, together with another sensor specific and battery module, the mobility
module, the arp module and the utility module, as it is shown below in Figure 3.3.

Figure 3.3: Node Structure

24

The layers of an IP model can be composed by the application layer, the network
layer, the MAC layer and the physical layer. The physical and MAC layer is grouped
into a Network Interface Card (NIC) module. The mobility module is responsible for the
movements of a node or an object. The battery module is used to simulate the power
consumption and properties. The arp module handles the Address Resolution Protocol
(ARP), and the utility module provides a general interface for collecting statistical data
of a simulation and maintains parameters that need to be accessed by more than one
module within a node.

3.3.1 Advantages and disadvantages of OMNeT++ with MiXiM

There are many advantages in OMNeT++ compared to other WSN simulation
when combining with MiXiM framework the design and implementation can be detailed
in simulating. Moreover, in OMNeT++, it provides a set of important models such as
power, battery, a propagation model and so on. It also provides many functionalities and
flexibility than other simulators. Furthermore, OMNeT++ and MiXiM are open source
software which is free and no need to buy. It is also has a very useful graphical support
debugging and support parallel simulation.

However, in many advantages of OMNeT++ and MiXiM, there still have a

several drawbacks to be considered, which lack of MAC protocols and not provide a
huge variety of routing protocols. Some routing protocol is not inside OMNeT++ and it
only supports a limited emulation or Realtime OS/SW execution time modeling.

25

3.4 Introduced Model

In order to determine the distance by measuring the nodes in Range Based
localization scheme, receiver node is the based node and the sender node as a reference
node. By using a formula below, the value of RSSI can be determined [18].
= (10. . log(

(18)

is the coefficient that depends on environmental conditions (between 1.6 to 6).

d is a distance between sending node to receiver node. And for A, the value is
depending on the communication chip used, for example, CC2420 by the TI. Usually
the value of almost chips is

= 51

. Other than that, in order to determine the

value of coefficient when there are a difference happen with the environmental
condition, derive the equation above [18].

+
(10 log(

(18)

Coefficient is computed with the RSSI value obtained from the reference
anchor by the base node. As the distance to the reference anchor is already known, this
distance is used in the equation to compute the coefficient. Then, the computed is
used to estimate more accurate distance values with the RSSI values transmitted by
another three anchor node. In order to compute the distances of the anchor nodes to the
node to be localized, the following equation is used [18].

= 10

(18)

26

After the distances of the anchor nodes to the localized node are computed by the
base node, the trilateration method is applied to estimate the exact location. As this
localization process is realized with the dynamically computed coefficient according
to the changing environmental conditions for each individual localization process, more
accurate localization estimates are expected [18].

3.5

Method and Model Scenario

In this project, RSSI method is used to implement the localization technique.

Due to the low computation capacity of WSN nodes, and the necessity to save energy,
relatively low mathematical computation requiring circular localization technique is
applied and OMNeT 4.6 is used to develop the simulation of system nodes

In this model, a moving node is deployed continuously transmits existing

information, and the anchor nodes located at the four corners of the area relay the signal
strength information of the moving node to the base anchor node. The base anchor node
computes the location of moving node. The location information produced in this
process can be monitored by a computer connected to the base anchor as shown in
Figure 3.4 below, the model components and the RSSI data flow [18].

27

Figure 3.4: Model component of RSSI node localization data flow

Trilateration method is applied in this localization technique. This method

requires an intersection area of three circles with known radiuses on a coordinate plane
to compute the localization. Below is an equation used to compute the coordinate and
Figure 3.5 below shows the trilateration method is depicted and Figure 3.6 shows the
model component using trilateration. [18].
=

#=

!
!

$%& $'& ( & ((

* = ,

!)

&

)&

(18)

#!

28

Figure 3.5: Trilateration Method

Figure 3.6: Model component in Trilateration Method

29

3.5.1 RSSI Localization technique Flowchart

Start

Moving node:
Regular broadcast

Anchors: Route the

broadcast

No

Base: Number
of signals = 3?

Yes

No
localization

Set all route signal

Get last anchor-base

for calculation

rssi as reference rssi

Find real location

Calculate distance

with trilateration

coefficient

Display and save

location data
with time

End

Figure 3.7: Flowchart process of RSSI Localization

30

3.5.2 Scenario and Parameter

According to the flowchart which show the steps or process how the RSSI
localization works, the network scenario is model with the following network
environments as shown in Figure 3.8 below such as, the simulation scenario is based on
OMNeT++ with MiXiM framework, the anchor nodes are located in three different
positions, one moving node located at the center of the area which have equal distance
to all anchor nodes and one base node to compute the location of moving node. The
square area with dimensions of 100m * 100m and the distance between each anchor
node is 100m. The position of the nodes is according to the coordinate of x-axis and yaxis.

Figure 3.8: Model scenario for Trilateration

31

REFERENCES

[1]

Zhang, S. (2012). A Review of Wireless Sensor Networks and Its Applications.

Proceeding of IEEE International Conference on Automation and Logistics,
(August), 386389. [Accessed: October 11, 2015]

[2]

Yick, J., Mukherjee, B., & Ghosal, D. (2008). Wireless sensor network survey.
Computer Networks, 52(12), 22922330. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.comnet.2008.04.002
[Accessed: October 11, 2015]

[3]

Akyildiz, I. F., Su, W., Sankarasubramaniam, Y., & Cayirci, E. (2002). Wireless
sensor

networks:

survey.

Computer

Networks,

38(4),

393422.

http://doi.org/10.1016/S1389-1286(01)00302-4 [Accessed: October 19, 2015]

[4]

M.A. Matin and M.M. Islam. (2012). Overview of Wireless Sensor Network.
Wireless

Sensor

Networks

Technology

and

Protocols,

3(1),

320.

http://doi.org/10.5772/2604 [Accessed: October 11, 2015]

[5]

Bhattacharya, D., & Krishnamoorthy, R. (2011). Power Optimization in Wireless

Sensor Networks, 8(5), 415419. [Accessed: October 21, 2015]

[6]

Alrajeh, N. A., Bashir, M., & Shams, B. (2013). Localization Techniques in Wireless
Sensor Networks. International Journal of Distributed, 6(1), 844850. [Accessed:
October 11, 2015]

[7]

Cheng, L., Wu, C., Zhang, Y., Wu, H., Li, M., & Maple, C. (2012). A Survey of
Localization in Wireless Sensor Network. International Journal of Distributed Sensor
Networks, 2012, 112. http://doi.org/10.1155/2012/962523 [Accessed: October 19,
2015]

[8]

Kuriakose, J., Joshi, S., & George, V. I. (2013). Localization in Wireless Sensor
Networks: A Survey. CSIR Sponsored X Control Instrumentation System Conference,
7375. [Accessed: October 19, 2015]

32

[9]

Kaur, H. (2015). Review on Localization Techniques in Wireless Sensor Networks,

116(2), 47. [Accessed: October 19, 2015]

[10]

Bachrach, J., & Taylor, C. (2005). Localization in Sensor Networks. Handbook of

Sensor Networks: Algorithms and Architectures, 277310.
http://doi.org/10.1002/047174414X.ch9 [Accessed: October 15, 2015]

[11]

Rudafshani, M., & Datta, S. (2007). Localization in wireless sensor networks.

International Symposium on Information Processing in Sensor Networks, 2007. IPSN
2007., 00(c), 924928. http://doi.org/10.1145/1236360.1236368 [Accessed:
November 3, 2015]

[12]

Ammar, W., ElDawy, A., & Youssef, M. (2010). Secure Localization in Wireless
Sensor Networks: A Survey, 6(6), 123. http://doi.org/10.4304/jcm.6.6.460-470
[Accessed: November 3, 2015]

[13]

Niewiadomska-szynkiewicz, E., Marks, M., & Kamola, M. (2009). Localization in

Wireless Sensor Networks Using Heuristic Optimization Techniques. [Accessed:
November 3, 2015]

[14]

Yassine, F., & Safa, H. (2009). A hybrid DV-Hop for localization in large scale
Wireless Sensor Networks. Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on
Mobile

Technology,

Application

&

Systems

Mobility

09,

16.

http://doi.org/10.1145/1710035.1710083 [Accessed: November 3, 2015]

[15]

Li, J., Huang, L., Xiao, M., & Xu, H. (2007). A Hybrid Range-Free Localization
Scheme in Wireless Sensor Networks Work in Progress, 12. [Accessed: November
3, 2015]

[16]

Zhong, Z., & He, T. (2012). Wireless sensor node localization by multisequence
processing. ACM Transactions on Embedded Computing Systems, 11(1), 133.
http://doi.org/10.1145/2146417.2146420 [Accessed: November 23, 2015]

[17]

Alrajeh, N. A., Bashir, M., & Shams, B. (2013). Localization Techniques in Wireless
Sensor Networks. International Journal of Distributed, 6(1), 844850.. [Accessed:
November 19, 2015]

[18]

Bekcibasi, U., & Tenruh, M. (2014). Increasing RSSI Localization Accuracy with
Distance Reference Anchor in Wireless Sensor Networks. Acta Polytechnica
33

Hungarica,

11(8),

103120.

http://doi.org/10.12700/APH.11.08.2014.08.6.

[Accessed: November 29, 2015]

[19]

Oguejiofor, O. S., Okorogu, V. N., Adewale, A., & Osuesu, B. O. (2013). Outdoor
Localization System Using RSSI Measurement of Wireless Sensor Network.
International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering, 2(2), 1
6. [Accessed: November 29, 2015]

34