A hormone-based clustering algorithm in wireless sensor networks

Clustering problem is one of the hottest issues in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The strategy for selection of cluster head has not been sufficiently investigated. In this paper, we propose a hormone-based clustering algorithm (HCA) inspired by the communication mechanism of bio-endocrine system to prolong the lifetime of the sensor nodes. Two kinds of hormones, cluster hormone and member hormone, are used in the algorithm. Hormone message can promote a node to become a cluster head or a member node. Comparative experiment shows that the proposed algorithm has effectively prolong the lifetime of WSN compared with LEACH[1] and HEED[2].