Cluster formation through improved weighted clustering algorithm (IWCA) for mobile ad-hoc networks

A clustering architecture increases network lifetime, fault tolerance and results in more efficient use of network resources. Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs) are extremely vulnerable to a variety of misbehaviors because of their basic features like: lack of communication infrastructure, dynamic network topology and short transmission range. To detect and reduce those misbehaviors, numerous trust management schemes have been proposed for MANETs. To effectively set up MANET, security is one of the main challenges that must be undertaken. The weight based clustering approach is based on combined weight metric that takes into account of several system parameters like the mobility, degree difference, transmission range and battery power of the node. One way to support efficient communication between nodes is to partition ad hoc networks into clusters. Various clustering schemes have been proposed to form clusters. Proposed IWCA algorithm can enhance the trust of cluster formation followed by malicious node removal from cluster head or member selection.