Dynamic Node Location in an Ad Hoc Indoor Communications and Positioning Network

W.R. Michalson, H. Ahlehagh, I. Progri

Abstract:	Future geolocation systems will combine the characteristics of communications networks with positioning technologies to create systems capable of performing location aware computing. Such systems have wide application in troop movements, field hospitals and homeland defense, as well as dual-use areas such as firefighter safety and wireless healthcare systems. Central to all of these systems is the ability to maintain efficient communications amongst many nodes in a dynamic ad hoc network. While many protocols and algorithms have been proposed for routing communications amongst the nodes in an ad hoc network, all of the proposed algorithms have problems in situations where the nodes may be indoors and outdoors, or in which there is a large difference in the mobility, or speed, of the nodes. This paper presents an approach for computing the 3D positions of nodes in an ad hoc communications and positioning network where GPS measurements are not assumed to be available. Error propagation and techniques for estimating position error will be discussed. Using a realistic simulation of an indoor environment, it will be shown how position errors are affected by the presence of obstructions in the environment and how position information can be used by network routing protocols to improve the efficiency of the communications network.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS/GNSS 2003) September 9 - 12, 2003 Oregon Convention Center Portland, OR
Pages:	1185 - 1191
Cite this article:	Michalson, W.R., Ahlehagh, H., Progri, I., "Dynamic Node Location in an Ad Hoc Indoor Communications and Positioning Network," Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS/GNSS 2003), Portland, OR, September 2003, pp. 1185-1191.
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