A cluster-based energy efficient MAC protocol for multi-hop cognitive radio sensor networks

In this paper,we concentrate on the design, implementation and performance evaluation of the medium access control (MAC) for the multi-hop sensor networks. Being operated in unlicensed bands, the battery-operated sensor nodes need to sense available spectrum and consume precious energy. Taking account of the cognitive radio as well as the traditional characters of the wireless sensor networks, we design a MAC protocol for the cognitive radio sensor network (CRSN) that supplies schemes for solution. We propose a cluster-based protocol (KoN-MAC) for the battery-operated sensor nodes in multi-hop networks, which allows sensor nodes to dynamically select an interference free channel for data communication. We evaluate the performance of the proposed protocol by NS-2 and the simulation results show that our protocol can achieve better energy gains as well as higher throughput, less delay and lower packet loss radio.