An energy-degree evaluation metric for clustering purposes in mobile ad hoc networks

Abstract

Network clustering is the process of partitioning a network into a number of virtual entities mastered by certain nodes, called cluster centers that are responsible for collecting and maintaining topology information and managing the routing processes. In ad hoc networking, clustering has been introduced to deal with the dynamic topology by providing a temporarily stable network core. Clustering process mainly depends on the metric upon which the selection of cluster centers is performed. A wide range of clustering metrics were introduced in the literature based on network issues including mobility and connectivity degree, giving rise to a variety of clustering schemes. Although clustering provides energy consumption reduction, residual energy has not received enough attention and few studies have addressed the clustering on the basis of this feature. This paper discusses the current clustering metrics and proposes an energy-degree evaluation metric with mobility consideration taking into account the nodes residual energy and the network connectivity as two main keys of clustering.