An efficient hybrid bat sand cat swarm optimization‐based node localization for data quality improvement in wireless sensor networks

Summary Node localization in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) ensures that the collected data is contextually accurate, enabling effective monitoring and management of various applications. Recently, there has been a surge in research focused on addressing node localization within WSNs. Emerging trends in this field involve the application of metaheuristic optimization techniques to refine node location determination accuracy. However, existing techniques often struggle with balancing accuracy, energy consumption, network lifetime, and computational efficiency, particularly in challenging WSN environments. Therefore, this research introduces a novel approach called efficient hybrid bat sand cat swarm optimization (EHBSCSO) to address node localization within WSNs. The hybrid method leverages the exploration capabilities of the bat optimization algorithm and the exploitation strengths of the sand cat swarm optimization algorithm. This combination allows for efficient determination of node positions, significantly improving localization accuracy while minimizing energy consumption. The EHBSCSO utilizes the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and time of flight (ToF) approaches to assess distances among nodes accurately. Accurate node localization directly improves data quality by ensuring spatially precise data collection, reducing communication overhead, and enhancing the overall reliability of the collected data. Compared to conventional methods, the proposed EHBSCSO algorithm demonstrates superior performance, with a mean localization error of 0.18%, energy consumption of 7.2 J, computational time of 8.9 s, and localization time of 0.19 s. These metrics underscore its efficiency and precision. The research indicates that EHBSCSO not only optimizes localization accuracy but also contributes to energy efficiency and faster computational times, addressing key challenges in WSN node localization.