Unequal Clustering Algorithm for WSN to Prolong the Network Lifetime (UCAPN)

A fundamental issue in wireless sensor networks is maximizing the lifetime of a network subject to a given constraint. To achieve this goal, energy consumption must be well-balanced among the nodes. Clustering is a key technique to reduce the energy consumption and increase the lifetime of network. In existing clustering algorithm, the cluster head role can be rotated periodically among the nodes to balance the energy dissipation and it collects the data from the cluster members and then it forwards to the base station. However, the hot spot problem cannot be avoided. To mitigate the hot spot problem, balancing the energy consumption among the nodes and increase the network lifetime, we propose an energy aware unequal clustering algorithm (UCAPN). It divides the nodes into clusters of unequal in sizes. To preserve more energy, data from the sensor nodes are directly transferred to the nearest cluster heads which forwards them to the base station to avoid data gathering in the cluster head. Simulation results show that UCAPN balance the energy consumption among the nodes significantly when compared with HEED.