WLC12-6: Estimation Errors of Hop-Count Based Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we provide an analytical model to predict the deviation of distance estimation in the hop-count based localization scheme. Specifically, we develop a probability distribution function of per-hop progress for wireless networks with arbitrary node density, and predict the estimation error of hop-count based localization. The correctness of our model is validated via simulations. Based on this model, we can obtain the localization errors of hop-count based schemes without conducting tedious simulations when such network parameters as node density and transmission range are given. In addition, the impact of different network parameters on the estimation error of hop-count based localization can also be examined.