ABSTRACT
Cluster-based routing protocols play a prominent role in conserving network energy in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). For any cluster-based routing technique, the major challenge is to efficiently elect the cluster head (CH) nodes. The wrong choice of CHs leads to the early death of nodes and the network may collapse and stop operating. Chapter 7 addresses the energy efficient cluster formation using the firefly algorithm (EECFF) protocol. EECFF provides an excellent approach for CH election and cluster formation using the firefly algorithm. In the presented work, effective CHs are chosen by evaluating a fitness function created using parameters such as node density, cluster fairness, expected energy consumption, and energy components. To elect the CHs, multiple fireflies are created and each firefly represents a set of random nodes of the network. The fireflies iteratively calculate their intensity until an efficient CH set is identified. Here, the intensity of fireflies is hypothetical, which represents the quality of the CH nodes in terms of residual energy, node degree, etc. Once the CHs are elected, they broadcast a “join request” message to the entire network. Nodes of the network may hear multiple join request messages from two or more CHs. Under such circumstances, the nodes of the network intelligently choose an efficient CH node and form a cluster using the firefly algorithm. Finally, the EECFF enters a data transmission phase where CHs assign TDMA slots to their respective cluster members and data transmission commences. EECFF is compared with well-known protocols, namely LEACH and LEACH-C, and performance is evaluated based on parameters such as the number of alive nodes, energy consumption of network, and average number of packets received by BS. As per the result analysis, the performance of EECFF is better compared to the other two protocols.
