A Cluster-Head Selection and Update Algorithm for Ad Hoc Networks

A novel cluster-head selection and update algorithm "Type-based Cluster-forming Algorithm (TCA)" is proposed, which outperforms both the lowest node ID (LID) and the Weighted Clustering Algorithm (WCA) in the ad hoc network scenario considered. The system's performance is investigated in a scenario, when the 50 communicating nodes belong to three different groups, for example, a group of rescue workers, fire-fighters and paramedics. It is demonstrated that the carefully designed protocol is capable of outperforming the above-mentioned benchmarkers both in terms of a reduced number of cluster-head updates and cluster-change events. Hence its quality-of-service may be deemed higher.