Efficient Cluster based Routing Protocol for Collaborative Body Sensor Networks

Collaborative Body Sensor Networks (CBSNs) are collection of Body Sensor Networks that move in a given area and collaborate, interact and exchange data between each other to identify group activity, perceive events detected by group of individuals, and monitor the status of single and multiple persons. Even though some routing algorithms were proposed for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and Body Sensor Networks (BSNs), very few studies were found to cover routing in CBSNs. In this paper, we propose a robust cluster based scheme that increases the routing efficiency through the three steps of the routing process: cluster formation, cluster head election, and routing operation of data to the Base Station (BS). MATLAB simulations are performed to compare the performance of the proposed algorithm to other existing routing schemes. Results show that the proposed scheme outperforms others in terms of delay, energy consumption, and packet drop percentage, and therefore succeeds in addressing CBSN challenges.