Acoustic sensor network relative self-calibration using joint TDOA and DOA with unknown beacon positions

In this paper, we propose an efficient self-calibration mechanism, achieving localization as well as orientation, for wireless acoustic sensor network. Time difference of arrival (TDOA) based on wireless and acoustic signals, while direction of arrival (DOA) based on acoustic only, are used jointly to achieve acoustic sensor node calibration. Each sensor node is equipped with three microphones and a wireless transceiver. Sensor nodes are calibrated by using two beacon positions with respect to a reference node whose position is assumed to be known. Our approach requires a single moving beacon (MB) equipped with RF and acoustic signal sources. Once a node has been calibrated (in terms of location and orientation) it can be considered as a valid reference for the remaining uncalibrated nodes. We have developed hardware platform to validate the proposed calibration mechanism. Performance results show the effectiveness and usefulness of the proposed mechanism.