Comparison of distributed localization algorithms for sensor network with a mobile beacon

Determining where a given unknown node is physically located in a sensor network is known as the problem of localization, which is challenging and yet extremely crucial for many applications. In this paper, we propose some distributed, scalable and probabilistic localization algorithms with one mobile beacon and present a simple mobile beacon-driven communication protocol. In our method, every unknown sensor node receiving beacon packets estimates its own position using parametric and non-parametric probabilistic estimation techniques. Furthermore, we compare several distributed algorithms through simulation experiments, which reveal that non-parametric probabilistic estimation is more robust and accurate than ordinary methods. Finally, we explore the impact of several factors on localization accuracy based on our method.