RI-MDS: Multidimensional Scaling Iterative Localization Algorithm Using RSSI in Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

To improve the feasibility and the convenience of localization methods for wireless sensor networks, a localization algorithm RI-MDS (RSSI-based iterative-multidimensional scaling) is proposed. The RI-MDS method is centralized and mainly focuses on improving localization accuracy. It collects RSSI vectors as ranging basis and combines the metric MDS method and the nonmetric MDS method to accomplish the relative localization. Then it uses the maximum likelihood method in affine transformation to transform the relative coordinates to absolute ones. Our method has no need for additional equipment on the WSN nodes. Simulation and field experiments show that the average localization error and the localization error ratio of the RI-MDS method are relatively lower and thus they are more feasible.