Self-Localization of MicroSensors using Ultra-Wideband RF

The goal of this project is to investigate and provide an Ultra-Wideband Time of Flight (TOF) ranging system for determining inter-node separation distance, and location of, nodes in a wireless sensor network. Ranging/location capability is important to these applications, because correlating sensor data with physical location increases the value of the sensor data. As TDC has already demonstrated the required performance in similar, although not identical, environments we believe that the project is feasible. Our approach will be to 1) define the system requirements, 2) characterize the phenomenology associated with typical Unattended Ground Sensor environments, 3) perform a study to identify techniques that meet the requirements of large scale deployment of wireless sensor networks, and 4) propose a plan for implementing a prototype device in Phase II. Requirements based metrics will be developed to assess the practicality of RF based ranging systems. Key parameters include: power consumption per measurement, probability of successful range measurement, unit size and mass. TDC expects that completion of this project will prepare the way for a Phase II demonstration of a device, incorporated with a government selected sensor, that provides self-location.