Clustering Ad Hoc Networks: Schemes and Classifications

Many clustering schemes have been proposed for different ad hoc networks and play an important role in self organizing them. A systematic classification of these clustering schemes enables one to better understand and make improvements. This paper surveys clustering schemes and classifies them into ad hoc sensor network clustering schemes and mobile ad hoc network clustering schemes. In sensor networks, the energy stored in the network nodes is limited and usually infeasible to recharge; the clustering schemes for these networks therefore aim at maximizing the energy efficiency. In mobile ad hoc networks, the movement of the network nodes may quickly change the topology resulting in the increase of the overhead message in topology maintenance; the clustering schemes for mobile ad hoc networks therefore aim at handling topology maintenance, managing node movement or reducing overhead