Multi-factor and Distributed Clustering Routing Protocol in Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

One of important issues in wireless sensor networks is how to effectively use the limited node energy to prolong the lifetime of the networks. Clustering is a promising approach in wireless sensor networks, which can increase the network lifetime and scalability. However, in existing clustering algorithms, too heavy burden of cluster heads may lead to rapid death of the sensor nodes. The location of function nodes and the number of the neighbor nodes are also not carefully considered during clustering. In this paper, a multi-factor and distributed clustering routing protocol MFDCRP based on communication nodes is proposed by combining cluster-based routing protocol and multi-hop transmission. Communication nodes are introduced to relay the multi-hop transmission and elect cluster heads in order to ease the overload of cluster heads. The protocol optimizes the election of cluster nodes by combining various factors such as the residual energy of nodes, the distance between cluster heads and the base station, and the number of the neighbor nodes. The local optimal path construction algorithm for multi-hop transmission is also improved. Simulation results show that MFDCRP can effectively save the energy of sensor nodes, balance the network energy distribution, and greatly prolong the network lifetime, compared with the existing protocols.