A VMIMO-based cooperative routing algorithm for maximizing network lifetime

Energy efficiency is an important criterion for routing algorithms in the wireless sensor network. Cooperative routing can reduce energy consumption effectively stemming from its diversity gain advantage. To solve the energy consumption problem and maximize the network lifetime, this paper proposes a Virtual Multiple Input Multiple Output based Cooperative Routing algorithm (VMIMOCR). VMIMOCR chooses cooperative relay nodes based on Virtual Multiple Input Multiple Output Model, and balances energy consumption by reasonable power allocation among transmitters, and decides the forwarding path finally. The experimental results show that VMIMOCR can improve network lifetime from 37% to 348% in the medium node density, compared with existing routing algorithms.