초록 ▼

Methods and systems for configuring ad-hoc networks, especially a self-configuring wireless sensor networks, are described. The network has an initial number of anchors with known positions that broadcast a signal. The signals are received by distributed nodes whose position is not yet known. The no

Methods and systems for configuring ad-hoc networks, especially a self-configuring wireless sensor networks, are described. The network has an initial number of anchors with known positions that broadcast a signal. The signals are received by distributed nodes whose position is not yet known. The nodes rank the received signal based on a Quality of Link (QoL; received signal strength) and compute a Quality of position Estimate (QoE) for the node. The node with the best QoE is elevated to anchor. This process gradually increases the number of available anchors in the network and hence the position accuracy for additional nodes. The system can be used for geolocation of soldiers in the indoor combat, tracking the location of firefighter and other emergency personnel in rescue missions, etc.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for determining a position of a node in a network, comprising:providing a plurality of anchors having a known position, each anchor transmitting a position signal indicating the position of the respective anchor;positioning at least one non-anchor node within si

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for determining a position of a node in a network, comprising:providing a plurality of anchors having a known position, each anchor transmitting a position signal indicating the position of the respective anchor;positioning at least one non-anchor node within signal range of the anchors;receiving, at the at least one positioned non-anchor node, at least one of the position signals from the anchors;determining from a signal strength (QoL) of the received signals a quality of position estimate (QoE) for the at least one non-anchor node;comparing the determined QoE for the at least one non-anchor node with QoE values for others of the at least one non-anchor node; andupgrading one of the at least one non-anchor nodes to serve as an additional anchor based on the comparison of the QoE values for the non-anchor nodes, wherein in response to the upgrading, the upgraded node begins transmitting a position signal indicating its position.