Mobility-based clustering protocol for wireless sensor networks with mobile nodes

In this study, the authors propose a mobility-based clustering (MBC) protocol for wireless sensor networks with mobile nodes. In the proposed clustering protocol, a sensor node elects itself as a cluster-head based on its residual energy and mobility. A non-cluster-head node aims at its link stability with a cluster head during clustering according to the estimated connection time. Each non-cluster-head node is allocated a timeslot for data transmission in ascending order in a time division multiple address (TDMA) schedule based on the estimated connection time. In the steady-state phase, a sensor node transmits its sensed data in its timeslot and broadcasts a joint request message to join in a new cluster and avoid more packet loss when it has lost or is going to lose its connection with its cluster head. Simulation results show that the MBC protocol can reduce the packet loss by 25% compared with the cluster-based routing (CBR) protocol and 50% compared with the low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy-mobile (LEACH-mobile) protocol. Moreover, it outperforms both the CBR protocol and the LEACH-mobile protocol in terms of average energy consumption and average control overhead, and can better adapt to a highly mobile environment.