A distributed clustering scheme for wireless sensor networks

Clustering is a promising solution to conserve sensor energy levels and to organize tasks among nodes. This paper presents a distributed energy efficient protocol to cluster wireless sensor networks using two techniques: local re-clustering and multi-criteria cluster formation. When a Cluster Head (CH) maintains an acceptable part of its remaining energy, it is not necessary to cooperate in consecutive clustering processes (global re-clustering). However, most of the previous algorithms have not considered the energy harvesting attained from local re-clustering, which is the process of selecting a new CH only when the previous CH has consumed a prespecified part of its energy. Besides, each node computes a multi-criteria score for being selected as a CH and running a round. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol prolongs the lifetime of WSNs by decreasing clustering overhead.