R-MUCH: A Clustering Routing Algorithm Using Fuzzy Logic for WSNs

Abstract

An adequate usage of energy on nodes with restricted energy source is one of the major challenges in WSNs. Since data transmission is the main task that shortens node’s lifetime, it is very necessary to balance the transmission of data among the network paths. Cluster-based architecture in WSNs is one of the keys to improve energy efficiency and extend network lifetime. It reduces the number of messages transmitted towards the sink or Base Station. This is due to restricting the communication with the sink to few nodes, called Cluster Head nodes (CHs). One of the major concerns is how to choose cluster heads and route data through energy-efficient paths towards destination. In this paper, we propose R-MUCH a clustering routing algorithm. It is a multi-hop version of MUCH algorithm (Multi-Criteria Cluster Head Delegation Based on Fuzzy Logic). CHs send data in a multi-hop fashion to the sink by choosing the path that has the lowest cost in terms of energy consumption. R-MUCH chooses for each CH its next-hop. It uses fuzzy logic and relies on three factors: the distance, the node’s remaining energy and the number of times the node has served as next hop. Simulation shows that network lifetime is increased over existing approaches in the state of the art.