Wireless sensor networks consist of a large number of nodes with constrained energy supply. Energy efficiency is hot and challenging issue in wireless sensor networks. Existing studies have shown that clustering is one of the efficient techniques to improve energy efficiency. An easy-to-implement and flexible method for even clustering and cluster head selection is beneficial to optimize network stability and energy efficiency. In this study, a sector-based lightweight and flexible clustering algorithm is developed to reduce node energy dissipation and optimize energy efficiency. Our proposal divides the area into virtual sectors. In the meanwhile, an even sector cluster is created using the sector decomposition approach. Based on the total communication distance, residual energy, and local node density, each node in the cluster calculates its own priority. The node with the highest priority is selected as the cluster head. Our proposal is compared with TSC,MH-TSC,SEECP,DREEP and LEACH. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms these algorithms in terms of network stability and network lifetime.INDEX TERMS wireless sensor networks, sectors, energy efficiency, clustering.

Multi-channel technology can eff ectively eliminate wireless interference. The algorithms proposed for multi-channel sensor networks usually assume that there are enough channels available to enable interference-free parallel transmission. However, in practice, the channels that can be used are limited. This makes it possible that wireless interference cannot be completely eliminated, making parallel transmission impossible. Therefore, it is a challenging problem to develop a scheduling algorithm with fully parallel transmission capability under limited channels. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a heuristic slot reuse algorithm combining Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) and multi-channel technology. The algorithm allocates consecutive slots to nodes in a top-down manner. When the slot cannot be allocated because the SINR is not satisfi ed, a new channel will be added and allocate the slot. The simulation results show that our algorithm achieves concurrent transmission under limited channels, resulting in an optimized scheduling length.