Optimization of cluster head rotation in energy constrained wireless sensor networks

Abstract

The performance of energy driven cluster head (CH) rotation algorithms have been shown to be far more superior to time driven CH rotation algorithms when it comes to maximizing the sensor bed lifetime. The sensor bed life time is improved by selecting the proper points at which a CH role is relinquished to higher energy nodes via a CH rotation phase. However no formal analytical method is available to find the optimal point at which the CH rotation should be carried out. This research proposes an analytical iterative method to obtain the optimal points at which the CH rotation can be carried out. The method proposes an optimal value c opt for the energy threshold at which this rotation could occur. The values obtained via the analytical method is shown to be optimal via simulations using the EDCR and EDCR-MH algorithms. The analytical method proposed can be used in any energy driven algorithm to find the optimal point for CH rotations avoiding any ad hoc simulation based methods to maximize the lifetime of the sensor bed.