A generalized total least squares algorithm for RSS-based localization with unknown path-loss model parameters

Node localization is of paramount importance to different wireless sensor network (WSN) applications. This paper investigates the received signal strength (RSS) based localization problem with unknown path-loss model parameters. Most works in RSS localization assume the transmit power and path-loss exponent (PLE) are known that is not a realistic assumption in some cases. However this paper, assumes the transmit power and the PLE are both unknown and a novel algorithm for sensor location is proposed. The algorithm is based on the generalized total least-squares (GTLS) method and gives an explicit solution for the localization problem. The performance of the proposed method is compared with other methods, and simulations are performed. The results show that there is less localization error in the proposed algorithm compared to the other algorithms.