Optimal multi-path energy-aware routing protocol for wireless sensor networks

A large portion of energy-aware routing protocol for wireless sensor networks are cluster-based. In cluster based approaches, power of the cluster head (CH) nodes are drained more rapidly compared to other member nodes. Dynamic CH approach could partially alleviate this problem. But even with dynamic CH approach, energy is not uniformly dissipated among all nodes. In this paper, we propose a new energy-aware routing protocol where the communication protocol is such that, even when the clusters are fixed, power dissipation is same over all nodes (except CHs). Every node co-operates with each other to carry the payload to the CH so as the power dissipation is uniform. Therefore reconfiguration of cluster is not necessary, thereby saving a huge signalling cost and interruption in service. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol has longer node lifetime and better distribution of energy dissipation than the original LEACH protocol.