A green clustering protocol for mobile sensor network using particle swarm optimization

Energy consumption of sensor nodes is one of the crucial issues in prolonging the lifetime of wireless sensor networks. One of the methods that can improve the utilization of sensor nodes batteries is the clustering method. In this paper, we propose a green clustering protocol for mobile sensor networks using particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. We define a new fitness function that can optimize the energy consumption of the whole network and minimize the relative distance between cluster heads and their respective member nodes. We also take into account the mobility factor when defining the cluster membership, so that the sensor nodes can join the cluster that has the similar mobility pattern. The performance of the proposed protocol is compared with well-known clustering protocols developed for wireless sensor networks such as LEACH (low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy) and protocols designed for sensor networks with mobile nodes called CM-IR (clustering mobility-invalid round). In addition, we also modify the improved version of LEACH called MLEACH-C, so that it is applicable to the mobile sensor nodes environment. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed protocol using PSO algorithm can improve the energy consumption of the network, achieve better network lifetime, and increase the data delivered at the base station.