Distance estimation based on RSSI and Log-Normal shadowing models for ZigBee wireless sensor network

Abstract EN

In the last few years, a mobile wireless sensor and its application in wireless sensor network (WSN) are commonly used.

Localization of a mobile sensor node is considered a critical issue in some WSN applications.

In this paper, an outdoor environments experiment was carried out to measure the distance between the mobile node and the coordinator node in a simple point-to-point ZigBee WSN.

The distance was determined based on the measured Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) of the mobile node by the coordinator node.

In addition, a Log-Normal Shadowing Model (LNSM) was derived for outdoor condition.

Moreover, the parameters of the propagation channel such as standard deviation and a path loss exponent were estimated.

The RSSI was measured and analysed for outdoor environments for a distance range 1-100 m.

The measurements were carried out by using 2.4 GHz ZigBee wireless protocol based on XBee series 2 modules.

The results disclosed that the mean absolute error (MAE) of 3.44 and 6.72 m for a distance range 0-65 m and 0-100 m, respectively.

These results point that the LNSM is only suited for short distance.