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Ad-hoc body to body localisation using low power wireless nodes
Investigators: William P. L. Cully, Simon Cotton & William Scanlon
This project seeks to develop an ad-hoc personnel localisation system based upon low power wireless devices. In contrast to the majority of localisation work which focuses on stationary devices or simulated results this work will concentrate on empirical data in order to properly characterise the unique environment presented by the interaction of the human body.
Interest in localisation has produced many algorithms each with varying levels of complexity and infrastructural requirements. However, to date, the majority of these algorithms have ignored the potential effects of the human body upon radio propagation and any bias that these effects will introduce into the accuracy of their position estimate. This research will initially focus on measuring and describing the effect of the human body upon radio transmissions emanating from a body worn wireless device. From this foundation a localisation algorithm can be created that is more accurate than those currently available and with knowledge of the body to body environment this localisation system can be deployed without need for large infrastructure. This type of system would have applications in military, emergency first responders, and healthcare fields.
Investigation Topics
- Identification and measurement of the effects of the human body upon radio propagation
- Development of a distance estimation procedure based on received signal strength which accounts for the influence of the human body
- Development of a localisation algorithm that accounts for the body effects and that will allow distributed processing of location estimates
- Demonstration of cooperative localisation using the TI Chronos wristwatch
Publication Output
- W.P.L. Cully, S.L. Cotton, W.G. Scanlon & J.B. McQuiston, 'Localization Algorithm Performance in Ultra Low Power Active RFID Based Patient Tracking,' submitted to IEEE PIMRC, May. 2011.
Support
This project is funded by the Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT).
More Information
Download a flyer for this project here.