Load balanced and optimal clustering in WSNs using grey wolf optimizer

Abstract

A network of wireless sensors (WSN) is an outstanding technology that can aid in the various applications. Batteries run the sensor nodes those are used in WSN. The battery is impossible to charge or repair, so the most valuable resource for wireless sensor networks is power. Over the years, several strategies have been invented and used to preserve this precious WSN resource. One of the most successful approach for this purpose has turned out to be clustering. The aim of this paper is to suggest an effective technique for choosing cluster heads in WSNs to increase the lifetime of the network. To accomplish this task, Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) technique has been used. The general GWO was updated in this paper to meet the particular purpose of cluster head selection in WSNs. In this article, we have considered eleven attributes in the fitness function for the proposed algorithm. The simulation is carried out under different conditions. The results obtained show that the proposed protocol is superior in terms of energy consumption and network lifetime by evaluating the proposed protocol (i.e. CH-GWO protocol) with some well-existing cluster protocols. The suggested protocol forms energy-efficient and scalable clusters.