A Hierarchical LLC Routing Algorithm for WSNs

In WSNs and tiny cooperating wireless robots, unit and communication faults (permanent or transient), energy availability for the units and environmental changes may modify the communication network topology over time. Traditional hierarchical routing algorithms combine adaptability to changing environments with energy-aware aspects. In this paper we propose a k-level hierarchical extension to low-power localized clustering (LLC). For the first time, we take into account the effects introduced by finite unit bandwidth on the routing capabilities of the proposed algorithm. A second novel content of the paper is that, differently from the existing algorithms, the proposed solution guarantees a uniform distribution of alive units in the deployment area. This feature is particularly appealing since it is associated with the QoS of the network over time. The effectiveness of the suggest approach has been validated with a large experimental campaign.