Path loss factor estimation for RSS-based localization algorithms with wireless sensor networks

We address the problem of estimating the path loss factor and its integration in RSS-based localization algorithms with wireless sensor networks. We propose an algorithm that relies on a stochastic characterization of the uncertainties in the propagation model. Due to that the path loss factor is unknown and the localization is only based on RSS measurements whose distances from the beacons to the target are also unknown. This is a problem for which we propose an iterative algorithm which estimates the factors, the locations and the distances. The algorithm is tested with three RSS-based localization algorithms: circular trilateration, weighted centroids and ratiometric vector iteration. The results of our simulations show that the proposed algorithm gives good estimations of the path loss factors and gives improvements over the original localization algorithms.