Spatial Correleration Clustering Algorithm for Data Gathering in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks are characterized by centralized data gathering, multi-hop communication and many-to-one traffic pattern. These three characteristics may give rise to funneling effects that can lead to severe packet collision, network congestion, packet loss and even congestion collapse. This can also result in hotspots of energy consumption that may cause premature death of sensor nodes and even premature death of entire network. In this paper, exploiting spatial correlation of nodes to form clusters of nodes sensing similar values, and only cluster head sensor reading is transmit to sink, such can efficiently alleviates the funneling effects. A novelty clustering algorithm is proposed which can greatly reduce the number of cluster heads. Experimental results validate the effectiveness of this approach.