Title
Calibration-free TDOA self-localisation
Abstract
We present an approach for the localisation of passive receiver nodes in a communication network. The only source of information is the time when environmental sound or ultrasound signals are received. The discrete signals occur at unknown positions and times, but they can be distinguished. The clocks of the receivers are synchronised, so the time differences of arrival TDOA of the signals can be computed. The goal is to determine the relative positions of all receiver nodes and implicitly the positions and times of the environmental signals. Our proposed approach, the Cone Alignment algorithm, solves iteratively a nonlinear optimisation problem of TDOA using a physical spring–mass simulation. We present a geometrical representation of the error function, which is modelled by physical springs. By iterative relaxation of the springs, the error function is minimised. The approach is tested in numerous simulations, whereby our algorithm shows a smaller tendency to get stuck in local minima than a nonlinear least-squares approach using gradient descent. In experiments in a real-world setting, we demonstrate and evaluate a tracking system for a moving ultrasound beacon without the need to initially calibrate the positions of the receivers. Using our algorithm, we estimate the trajectory of a moving model train and of an RC car with a precision in the range of few centimetres.
Year
DOI
Venue
2013
10.1080/17489725.2013.796410
J. Location Based Services
Keywords
Field
DocType
nonlinear optimisation problem,environmental signal,cone alignment algorithm,physical spring,calibration-free tdoa self-localisation,environmental sound,nonlinear least-squares,passive receiver node,arrival tdoa,error function,tdoa,ultrasound
Data mining,Error function,Gradient descent,Nonlinear system,Simulation,Computer science,Algorithm,Tracking system,Maxima and minima,Multilateration,Calibration,Trajectory
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
7
2
1748-9725
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
9
0.71
26
Authors
4
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Johannes Wendeberg1707.59
Fabian Höflinger2628.29
Christian Schindelhauer350958.02
Leonhard Reindl4335.59