Boosting 3D WSN Localization Accuracy: Analyzing the Impact of Single Mobile Anchor Node Movements

Accurate 3D localization in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is crucial for many outdoor applications, particularly in urban or mountainous areas where GPS signals may be inadequate. This study focuses on using a single mobile anchor node with different movement patterns to investigate the improvement of 3D localization accuracy. Simulation studies were done considering the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, and a log-normal shadowing model was used to simulate real-world signal propagation conditions. The performance of four movement patterns (spiral, circular, rectangular, and random) was evaluated using Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) analysis and simulations with varying noise levels. The results showed that spiral movement consistently outperformed other patterns, achieving the lowest mean error and smallest standard deviation under low-noise conditions. Additionally, in high-noise scenarios, the spiral movement produced the lowest mean and the lowest maximum error values. The findings suggest that spiral movement is a promising strategy for improving 3D WSN localization accuracy, especially in challenging environments.