Load Balancing and Optimization of Network Lifetime by Use of Double Cluster Head Clustering Algorithm and its Comparison with Various Extended LEACH Versions

Abstract

The energy efficiency and optimization of Network lifetime are the most important design criterion in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). This paper a Double Cluster Head Clustering Algorithm is presented whose basis is Particle Swarm Optimization PSO, which is capable of extending the longevity of large sensor networks. Dual Cluster Head clustering technique using PSO (D-PSO) employs two cluster heads which can be denoted as Primary Cluster Head (PCH) and Secondary Cluster Head (SCH). PCH is responsible for data collection and data aggregation from the cluster member nodes and SCH is responsible for sending the aggregated data to the sink. This method aims at dividing the workloads between the two cluster heads which prevents a single cluster head from draining out of energy thereby extending the Cluster head re-election cycle. This method balances the overall energy consumption and improves the network lifetime considerably. The key thing in swarm optimization technique is to keep an efficient balance between the exploration and the exploitation abilities of the swarm. To realize this point a simple modified version of D-PSO is presented to achieve further improvement in the protocol performance. This protocol is then compared with various extended versions of Leach protocol and the effect of all these protocols is studied collectively to optimize the network lifetime.