Evaluation of Energy-Efficient Routing Strategies Based on Multi-Hop Clustering in Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

A wireless sensor network (WSN) comprises numerous energy-efficient devices that use routing protocols for prolonged operation. Recent cluster-based protocols focus on enhancing energy efficiency, throughput, and network longevity, yet often neglect crucial factors like node-to-Base Station (BS) distance when selecting cluster heads. This oversight can lead to suboptimal battery usage due to high energy demands in distant data reporting. The implementation of blanket coverage in heterogeneous WSNs aims to address this. This study evaluates the Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH), Energy Aware Multi-hop Routing (EAMR), and the newly proposed Distributed Energy Efficient Clustering (DEEC) protocol across various scenarios. DEEC optimizes cluster head selection by factoring in residual energy and distances from both the BS and neighboring nodes, aiming to minimize energy dissipation. Results indicate that DEEC significantly improves energy consumption, throughput, and network lifetime compared to LEACH and EAMR.