Multiple-access insights from bounds on sensor localization

In this paper, we build on known bounds on localization in sensor networks and provide new insights that can be used in multiple-access design from a localization perspective. Specifically, we look at the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB)for the estimation of a sensor\´s location given unbiased Gaussian range estimates from a set of location-aware "anchor" nodes. A novel characterization of the accuracy of sensor location-estimates is derived, which provides new insights into the design of multiple-access schemes from the perspective of sensor localization accuracy. These insights are validated through the investigation of the performance of a spread-spectrum based multiple-access scheme in an ultra-wideband sensor network