Energy-aware data gathering protocol for wireless sensor networks

An energy-aware data gathering protocol called EADGP that maximizes the network lifetime for wireless sensor networks is proposed in this paper. EADGP introduces a novel distributed hierarchical clustering method. In order to reduce energy consumption and realize load balance, a new cost metric and a metric-mapping function is presented during the cluster head selection phase. Unlike traditional energy-based distributed clustering algorithms, the new metric considers not only the residual energy of nodes, but also energy efficiency. The metric-mapping function maps the metric to a backoff duration, the node with a minor cost metric will produce a shorter time to compete as a cluster head. Furthermore, in EADGP, cluster heads use distributed energy balanced routing to forward data to the base station. Thus EADGP can evenly distribute energy dissipation among all nodes. Simulation results show that EADGP significantly improves the energy efficiency and the network lifetime of a wireless sensor network as compared with some existing protocols.