A GA-based Multihop Routing Scheme using K-Means Clustering approach for Wireless Sensor Networks

Energy efficiency is a very challenging issue in wire-less sensor networks (WSNs) since these networks are generally composed of a large number of energy-constrained sensors which are expected to run autonomously for long times and it may be cost-prohibitive to replace exhausted batteries of these sensors or even impossible in harsh environments. In this paper, we propose a novel routing protocol using genetic algorithm approach and K-means method to prolong network lifetime in WSNs. We involve k-means method to create clusters wherein cluster-heads are elected based on distance, residual energy and the occurrence of nodes state as cluster-head (CH). Moreover, we use genetic algorithm approach to establish CH-to-CH paths from a source node to the base station. The clustering process is performed if all members of a cluster are dead and the path constructing process will be triggered if a node changes status i.e. a member node becomes a CH. Simulation results demonstrate that our proposal provides better performance in terms of network lifetime and energy consumption compared to other routing protocols.