An Analysis on Optimal Cluster Ratio in Cluster-Based Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks, clustering schemes have been adopted as an efficient solution to prolong the network lifetime. In these schemes, the performance of energy-efficient data transmission is affected the cluster ratio (CR). This paper analyzes the optimal CR from the perspective of network energy efficiency, and its impact on the network lifetime. In order to provide a generic analytic model, various data propagation cases are mathematically analyzed. In addition, the network lifetime is extended by jointly optimizing the network transmission count and link reliability. Our simulation results show that the optimal CR derived based on the proposed analytical model enhances the energy efficiency and effectively increases the network lifetime.