Enhancing Node Localization Accuracy in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Hybrid Approach Leveraging Bounding Box and Harmony Search

Abstract

Accurate node localization in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is crucial for applications like environmental monitoring and military surveillance. Traditional localization methods, such as trilateration, often struggle with accuracy due to signal attenuation and environmental obstructions, leading to significant localization errors in practical scenarios. This paper aims to address the limitations of traditional localization methods by developing and evaluating a hybrid localization method that enhances accuracy and robustness in node localization within WSNs. The proposed method integrates the Bounding Box approach with the Harmony Search optimization algorithm, resulting in the Bounding Box Harmony Search (BBHS) method. The BBHS method utilizes the initial geometric constraints provided by the Bounding Box approach and refines these estimates using the global optimization capabilities of the Harmony Search algorithm. Simulation results, obtained using a custom-developed WSN localization simulator, demonstrate that the BBHS method significantly reduces localization errors compared to traditional trilateration and the standalone Bounding Box method. The BBHS method consistently provides enhanced accuracy and robustness across varying network conditions, highlighting its effectiveness in practical deployment scenarios. The advancements presented in this paper suggest that hybrid methods like BBHS represent a significant step forward in WSN localization technologies. By combining geometric constraints with optimization processes, the BBHS method overcomes the drawbacks of earlier techniques, paving the way for more reliable and resilient WSN operations.

Keywords

• Wireless sensor networks (WSNs)
• node localization
• trilateration
• bounding box method
• harmony search algorithm
• localization accuracy