FUCP: Fuzzy based unequal clustering protocol for wireless sensor networks

This paper presents Fuzzy Based Unequal Clustering Protocol (FUCP) for wireless sensor networks. The cluster head selection mechanism uses fuzzy logic with three node descriptors namely, residual energy, centerness with respect to its neighbor, and quality of communication link with its neighbors for cluster head selection. To avoid hot spots and for uniform network traffic distribution, FUCR uses unequal clustering. For this, fuzzy logic is used with node distribution and distance from master station to decide number of cluster heads and cluster head advertisement radius in a given area. A comparative analysis of FUCR, Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy, Hybrid Energy Efficient Distributed Clustering, Cluster Head Election mechanism using Fuzzy logic, and Distributed Energy Efficient Hierarchical Clustering shows that FUCP is up to 40% more energy efficient, has 31% more network lifetime, and sends 57% more packets to master station compared to Distributed Energy Efficient Hierarchical Clustering.