An Experimental Analysis of Effects of IEEE 802.11 Channels on RSSI-based Indoor Localization System with IEEE 802.15.4

Abstract

Many indoor localization studies are now actively underway. Generally, the indoor localization algorithms are based on the IEEE 802.15.4 wireless sensor networks. However, because of the sensor nodes' limitations, their radios are more susceptible to noise and interference than other wireless technologies. These are critical factors in the rigorous indoor environment, whose effects may not be the same on all channels of a sensor network. Many buildings are equipped with IEEE 802.11 access point (AP) to provide internet service. IEEE 802.11 AP can have a serious impact on the IEEE 802.15.4 performance if the channel allocation is not carefully taken into account. In this paper, we analyze the effect of IEEE 802.11 AP on location errors in received signal strength indicator (RSSI) -based indoor localization system with IEEE 802.15.4. We performed several tests in a house in order to minimize the influence of other IEEE 802.11 APs. We performed transmitting/receiving test by varying the location of IEEE 802.11 AP. Also, we composed an indoor localization system, and measured the location error of mobile node by varying the location of IEEE 802.11 AP. Our study shows that co-channel interference due to use IEEE 802.11 AP affects the RSSI value of sensor node. Ultimately, it has a harmful influence on location error.