Energy-efficiency clustering protocol in wireless sensor networks

Abstract

The conventional clustering method has the unique potential to be the framework for power-conserving ad hoc networks. In this environment, studies on energy-efficient strategies such as sleeping mode and redirection have been reported, and recently some have even been adopted by some standards like Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11. However, consider wireless sensor networks. The devices employed are power-limited in nature, introducing the conventional clustering approach to the sensor networks provides a unique challenge due to the fact that cluster-heads, which are communication centers by default, tend to be heavily utilized and thus drained of their battery power rapidly. In this paper, we introduce a re-clustering strategy and a redirection scheme for cluster-based wireless sensor networks in order to address the power-conserving issues in such networks, while maintaining the merits of a clustering approach. Based on a practical energy model, simulation results show that the improved clustering method can obtain a longer lifetime when compared with the conventional clustering method.