A clustering and routing algorithm with combination weight for energy consumption balance of WSNs

As sensor nodes are typically powered by non-renewable batteries, energy efficiency is a critical factor in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). And prolonging the lifetime for nodes and the total network is a critical issue. In this paper, a combination weight energy balance clustering and routing algorithm (CW-EBCR) is proposed. This algorithm takes into consideration the following elements: the node degree and energy level, the average distance between node and its neighbors, the accumulative time of node being cluster head, the distance to sink and the optimal cluster number. Then a regulating rule of cluster communication radius and a method of selecting redundancy substitute of cluster head are developed. At the same time, the self-maintenance tactics of cluster is put forward. Simulation and analysis show that this algorithm can make energy balanced both in inner-cluster and in inter-clusters, can prolong the network life time.