Optimization of Clustering in Wireless Sensor Networks: Techniques and Protocols

Ahmed Mahdi Jubair,Rosilah Hassan,Mohammad Salih Alsaffar,Hasimi Sallehudin,Azana Hafizah Mohd Aman,Zeyad Ghaleb Al-Mekhlafi,Badiea Abdulkarem Mohammed

doi:10.3390/app112311448

Ahmed Mahdi Jubair, Rosilah Hassan + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311448

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Abstract

Recently, Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technology has emerged extensively. This began with the deployment of small-scale WSNs and progressed to that of larger-scale and Internet of Things-based WSNs, focusing more on energy conservation. Network clustering is one of the ways to improve the energy efficiency of WSNs. Network clustering is a process of partitioning nodes into several clusters before selecting some nodes, which are called the Cluster Heads (CHs). The role of the regular nodes in a clustered WSN is to sense the environment and transmit the sensed data to the selected head node; this CH gathers the data for onward forwarding to the Base Station. Advantages of clustering nodes in WSNs include high callability, reduced routing delay, and increased energy efficiency. This article presents a state-of-the-art review of the available optimization techniques, beginning with the fundamentals of clustering and followed by clustering process optimization, to classifying the existing clustering protocols in WSNs. The current clustering approaches are categorized into meta-heuristic, fuzzy logic, and hybrid based on the network organization and adopted clustering management techniques. To determine clustering protocols’ competency, we compared the features and parameters of the clustering and examined the objectives, benefits, and key features of various clustering optimization methods.

Highlights

Optimization of the clustering method is typically considered an effective way of achieving optimal energy efficiency in a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)
A comprehensive review of the recent hierarchical optimization techniques used in cluster head selection, cluster formatting, aggregation, and communication was conducted
The clustering approaches in the available literature were reviewed and classified based on their optimization algorithms

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The past few years have witnessed much research interest in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). This increasing interest has demanded a comprehensive study that gives researchers a solid understanding of this field of research. A WSN is an ad hoc network consisting of a few sensor devices that cooperate to bring about particular functions, such as sensing a physical environment, making decisions, and transferring the sensed data to an appropriate end. Since the development of WSN technology, it has been a vital component of the Internet of Things (IoT) by providing a platform for connecting numerous devices and sharing information among these devices to improve user control of the environment

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