An Unequal Clustering Algorithm Based on Spacing and Residual Energy for Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

The energy of a node in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is limited, so WSNs need energy saving algorithms. We propose an unequal clustering algorithm based on spacing and RE for WSNs (USRE). URSE prolong the lifetime from the two aspects. One is to select some appropriate nodes to become cluster heads (CHs), the other is to ensure the proper distribution of CHs. To reduce the energy consumption, CHs are selected in the nodes closed to the around nodes (ANs). Besides the spacing among the ANs, the residual energy (RE) and number of ANs are the condition for CHs selection. A node with higher RE and more ANs is more likely to be a CH. USRE calculates the minimum distance between two CHs. If a node is close to a selected CH, it won’t be a CH. USRE is compared with other algorithms. The results show that the performance of USRE is better than other algorithms such as network lifetime.