A Cluster-Head Selection and Update Algorithm for Ad Hoc Networks

A novel cluster-head selection and update algorithm "Type-based Cluster-forming Algorithm (TCA)" is proposed, which outperforms both the lowest node ID (LID) and the Weighted Clustering Algorithm (WCA) in the ad hoc network scenario considered. The system\´s performance is investigated in a scenario, when the 50 communicating nodes belong to three different groups, for example, a group of rescue workers, fire-fighters and paramedics. It is demonstrated that the carefully designed protocol is capable of outperforming the above-mentioned benchmarkers both in terms of a reduced number of cluster-head updates and cluster-change events. Hence its quality-of-service may be deemed higher.