Robust RSS-Based Source Localization With Unknown Model Parameters in Mixed LOS/NLOS Environments

Abstract

In this paper, we address the received-signal-strength (RSS) based source localization problem in mixed line-of-sight/non-line-of-sight (LOS/NLOS) environments, where the model parameters are unknown. To accommodate the additional path losses incurred by NLOS signal propagations, we introduce a random variable to the outdoor RSS measurement model to represent the additional path loss. Based on this modified model, we propose a robust localization method for the case of unknown model parameters. Specifically, we introduce a balancing parameter and express the additional path loss term as the sum of the balancing parameter and an error term, and then formulate a robust weighted least squares (RWLS) problem to jointly estimate the source location, the unknown model parameters, and the balancing parameter. The RWLS problem is solved in an iterative manner, where the S-Lemma and the semidefinite relaxation technique are used. Both simulated and real experimental data verify that the proposed method works well in both dense and sparse NLOS environments.