Associativity-based stable cluster formation in mobile ad hoc networks

This paper presents a framework for dynamically organizing mobile nodes (MNs) and electing a dominating-set in highly spontaneous large-scale mobile ad hoe networks (MANETs) with an aim to support location-based routing protocol. The proposed strategy is known as associativity-based clustering, wherein a node is elected as a cluster head (CH) based on nodes having associativity-states that imply periods of spatial and temporal stability. The heuristic that is used in the clustering process ensures a more dynamic, distributed and adaptive operation of our protocol. Furthermore, this heuristic considers mobility of nodes as the main criterion in the cluster head election process, and hence results in stable cluster formation. The heuristic used in our CH election process ensures that the responsibility of acting as cluster heads is evenly distributed among all the nodes, and hence it is fair. Simulation results demonstrate the performance advantages of our strategy.