A Comparative Study Between Range-Based and Range-Free Localization Protocols

Abstract

Sensor networks are applied in a numerous number of applications. However, implementing wireless sensor networks presents new challenges. Cooja is a Contiki network simulator, which allows small and large networks of Contiki motes to be simulated; moreover, motes can be emulated at the hardware level. Recently, localization and tracking issues are drawing a notable consideration in WSNs due to the need of achieving high localization accuracy at low power consumption. The existing localization protocols are classified into two types: range-free and range-based. In this thesis, we evaluate the accuracy and the power performance of four very well-known localization protocols, namely: RSSI, fingerprint, centroid and DV-Hop protocols using Tmote sky in Cooja. However; any other type of motes could be used. It is worth mentioning that this the first time this study is conducted in Cooja. The results confirm with the theory that range-based protocols have the best performance than range-free in terms of localization accuracy. However, in term of stability and power consumption, range-free protocols outperform range-based protocols.