Clustering Objectives in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Survey and Research Direction Analysis

A–Z survey of Internet of Things: Architectures, protocols, applications, recent advances, future directions and recommendations

Advances in sensor technology has enabled the development of small, relatively inexpensive, and low-power sensors, which are connected together through wireless medium, forming what is so called Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). WSNs have huge number of applications out of which military target tracking and surveillance. However, sensors operate on limited power resources; therefore, utilizing those resources has brought the attention of current researchers. In this paper, we propose a Balanced Power-Aware Clustering and Routing protocol (BPA-CRP). Specifically, we developed a batch-based clustering and routing protocol in which the network topology divides the sensor field into equal-sized layers and clusters. The clustering algorithm allows any cluster to operate multiple rounds (a batch) without any need for set-up overhead. BPA-CRP assigns four different broadcast ranges for each sensor. Not only to this extent, but rather, BPA-CRP introduces a routing algorithm in which a new node role called “Forwarder” which is capable of relaying the collected data from the layer, it resides in, and far away forwarders toward the base station. As a complementary to prior described protocol, BPA-CRP proposes that a batch ends when the energy of any of the forwarders dips below a certain threshold. Additionally, BPA-CRP introduces the “Only Normal” operation mode, which primarily prevents exhausted nodes from serving as cluster heads or forwarders any longer. In fact, all of just mentioned enhancements not only are energy-aware, but also contributes in accomplishing efficient load balancing. Finally, we put proper node death-handling rules, which guarantee that each node dies smoothly without any loss of data, neither causing disruption for the network. Simulation results showed an exceptional performance of BPA-CRP over different relevant works in terms of network lifetime and network energy utilization. The load balancing capability of BPA-CRP is validated as well.

BPA-CRP: A balanced power-aware clustering and routing protocol for wireless sensor networks

Many Internet of Things (IoT) networks are created as an overlay over traditional ad-hoc networks such as Zigbee. Moreover, IoT networks can resemble ad-hoc networks over networks that support device-to-device (D2D) communication, e.g., D2D-enabled cellular networks and WiFi-Direct. In these ad-hoc types of IoT networks, efficient topology management is a crucial requirement, and in particular in massive scale deployments. Traditionally, clustering has been recognized as a common approach for topology management in ad-hoc networks, e.g., in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Topology management in WSNs and ad-hoc IoT networks has many design commonalities as both need to transfer data to the destination hop by hop. Thus, WSN clustering techniques can presumably be applied for topology management in ad-hoc IoT networks. This requires a comprehensive study on WSN clustering techniques and investigating their applicability to ad-hoc IoT networks. In this article, we conduct a survey of this field based on the objectives for clustering, such as reducing energy consumption and load balancing, as well as the network properties relevant for efficient clustering in IoT, such as network heterogeneity and mobility. Beyond that, we investigate the advantages and challenges of clustering when IoT is integrated with modern computing and communication technologies such as Blockchain, Fog/Edge computing, and 5G. This survey provides useful insights into research on IoT clustering, allows broader understanding of its design challenges for IoT networks, and sheds light on its future applications in modern technologies integrated with IoT.

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A Survey and Future Directions on Clustering: From WSNs to IoT and Modern Networking Paradigms

EA-CRP: A Novel Energy-aware Clustering and Routing Protocol in Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we propose a novel energy-aware and layering-based clustering and routing algorithm (EA-CRA) for gathering data in WSNs. EA-CRA employs an innovative multilayered architecture. More specifically, we divide the field into a number of layers where the width of a layer not only decreases towards the base station, but also is composed of a certain number of clusters (sub layers). The proposed design not only shortens the communication distance between nodes, but also decreases the amount of communication overhead required for setting up clusters. Performance of our proposed algorithm is examined through carrying out many MATLAB simulations. The effectiveness of EA-CRA is verified through comparing its results with those obtained from previous relevant algorithms. Interestingly, our experimental results show that EA-CRA has superior performance in term of network lifetime.

Noor J. Al-Maaitah

Papers

EA-CRP: A Novel Energy-aware Clustering and Routing Protocol in Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy efficient clustering algorithm for wireless sensor networks