A Multi-Hop Energy Neutral Clustering Algorithm for Maximizing Network Information Gathering in Energy Harvesting Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

Energy resource limitation is a severe problem in traditional wireless sensor networks (WSNs) because it restricts the lifetime of network. Recently, the emergence of energy harvesting techniques has brought with them the expectation to overcome this problem. In particular, it is possible for a sensor node with energy harvesting abilities to work perpetually in an Energy Neutral state. In this paper, a Multi-hop Energy Neutral Clustering (MENC) algorithm is proposed to construct the optimal multi-hop clustering architecture in energy harvesting WSNs, with the goal of achieving perpetual network operation. All cluster heads (CHs) in the network act as routers to transmit data to base station (BS) cooperatively by a multi-hop communication method. In addition, by analyzing the energy consumption of intra- and inter-cluster data transmission, we give the energy neutrality constraints. Under these constraints, every sensor node can work in an energy neutral state, which in turn provides perpetual network operation. Furthermore, the minimum network data transmission cycle is mathematically derived using convex optimization techniques while the network information gathering is maximal. Simulation results show that our protocol can achieve perpetual network operation, so that the consistent data delivery is guaranteed. In addition, substantial improvements on the performance of network throughput are also achieved as compared to the famous traditional clustering protocol LEACH and recent energy harvesting aware clustering protocols.

Energy-Neutral Data Collection Rate Control for IoT Animal Behavior Monitors

“…Energy supply is critical to IoT wireless sensor devices, as lifetime and utility of the sensors are based on how long a battery can sustain operation [4,14,15]. Harvesting energy from the environment has to supplement stored battery energy [16][17][18][19][20][21][22] and selection of processing modes based on available energy [23] are common methods of extending operating life of IoT devices. Photovoltaic cells (PVC) can be used for solar energy harvesting and provide a renewable energy resource that is well suited for behavior monitors [11,24].…”

An Improved Energy Balanced Dissimilar Clustered Routing Architecture for Wireless Sensor Networks

“…The work in [11] takes into account of the residual energy of neighboring nodes in constructing the cluster. Liu Yang et al [12] describe multi-hop data transmission between cluster-head and base station. Although this study leads to improved energy conservation, it may lead to faster draining of cluster-head nearer to base station.…”

A Cooperative Clustering Protocol With Duty Cycling for Energy Harvesting Enabled Wireless Sensor Networks

“…The optimization problem above gives the highest k (maximum spectral efficiency) that maintains the EN O (constraint (7)) for any value of k in the range defined by constraints (8) and (9) 2 . Unlike the OCHP analysis in [36], the proposed optimal solution may not necessarily minimize the network energy consumption, as some values of k = k opt may result in a lower energy consumption.…”

“…The protocol in [11] proposes cluster head groups (CHG), in which nodes take turns in becoming the CH to minimize the overheads of the CH selection process. In [8], Yang et. al.…”

“…Due to the random nature of such energy sources, current protocols designed for battery powered networks must be adapted to EH scenarios [7]. In response, EH clustering protocols were proposed in [8], [9], [10], [11], [12] that extend the LEACH protocol [13], in which cluster heads (CH) aggregate and then forward data packets of their cluster members to the sink node. Unlike LEACH, which evenly distributes the CH role among the nodes, the aforementioned schemes elect CHs based on the their residual energies and forecasted harvesting rates.…”