A hierarchical leader election protocol for mobile ad hoc networks

8th International Conference on Computational Science, ICCS 2008; Krakow; Poland; 23 June 2008 through 25 June 2008Leader Election is an important problem in mobile ad hoc networks and in distributed computing systems. In this study, we propose a hierarchical, cluster based protocol to elect a leader in a mobile ad hoc network. The initial phase of the protocol employs a clustering algorithm to group nodes of the network after which a leader for a cluster(clusterhead) is elected. The second phase is performed by forming a connected ring of these leaders using the Ring Formation Algorithm. Finally, Chang Roberts Leader Election Algorithm for rings is employed in the final phase to elect the super-leader among the clusterheads. We provide performance results of this protocol for various mobility parameters and analyze its time and message complexities