Energy Efficient Clustering Algorithms for Homogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are systems of resource-constrained sensor nodes (SNs), distributed throughout a sensor field. Energy limitations persist due to the wireless nature of SNs and an interest in minimizing the cost and physical footprint of SNs. Due to the resource-constrained nature of SNs, much WSN research has focused on energy-efficient communication algorithms. Communication algorithms are necessary for energy-efficient data transmission between SNs and the transmission of data collected by SNs to a base station. A popular algorithm known as Low-Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) achieves more energy-efficient communication by organizing SNs into clusters for localized communication. When SNs are mobile, the energy efficiency of LEACH is degraded because of geographic dispersion of SN clusters. This thesis proposes LEACH-Centered Cluster-head (LEACH-CCH), a clustering algorithm aimed at improving WSN lifetime in cases of stationary and mobile sensor nodes. Mobile sensor network applications are explored including vehicle-to-infrastructure communication networks