An Enhanced Weighted Clustering Algorithm for MANET

Mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) are a form of infrastructure less wireless networks. Clustering is an important feature of MANET. Cluster architecture increases network life, scalability and results in more efficient use of network resources. In cluster architecture of MANET various clusters of mobile nodes are formed dynamically with each cluster having its own clusterhead which is responsible for routing among clusters. Selection of cluster head during cluster formation is a critical issue. Cluster head maintain a list of nodes belonging to the same cluster and maintains a path to each of these nodes. Updation of path is done in proactive manner. Cluster head also maintain list of gateways. In this paper we propose and implement a weighted clustering algorithm for MANETs which based on combined weight metric that takes into account three system parameters like the node degree, energy and single to noise ratio of the nodes. This will help us to selection of best suitable node as a cluster head from all other node within the network. We have evaluated the performance of the proposed scheme through simulation in various network situations.