Efficient Node Localization in Energy-Harvesting Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we propose a novel localization algorithm tailored for energy-harvesting wireless sensor networks EH-WSNs where both the power budgets available at the EH sensors and hence their transmission capabilities are random. This characteristic, if not taken into account when designing the localization algorithm, may severely hinder its accuracy. Assuming a random transmission capability at each EH sensor, we develop a new approach to derive the expected hop progress (EHP). Exploiting the latter, we propose a localization algorithm that is able to accurately locate the EH sensors owing to a new implementation requiring no additional power consumption. Furthermore, we develop a correction mechanism which complies with the heterogeneous coverage nature of EH sensors to further improve localization accuracy without incurring any additional power cost. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm, whether applied with or without correction, outperforms in accuracy the most representative WSN localization algorithms in EH powering contexts.