Two-Layer Optimized Forwarding for Cluster-Based Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) usually contain a large number of nodes typically with highly correlated collected data. To support large-scale wireless sensor network management and local data aggregation, hierarchical routing techniques can be regarded as superior to flat routing approaches. Low power consumption as well as smart way of distributing the load is crucial to the routing protocol design in order to attain elongated WSN lifetime. We have already proposed a distributed routing algorithm; optimized forwarding by fuzzy inference systems (OFFIS) for the flat networks, where the decision is based on the distance power and link uses. In this paper, we propose a two-layer OFFIS (2L-OFFIS) for environmental data collection in cluster-based sensor networks. Simulation results show that the network lifetime can be significantly elongated by utilizing the new protocol in hierarchical sensor networks