Proposed intermittent Cluster Head selection scheme for efficient energy consumption in WSNs

In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), hierarchical clustering protocols such as Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) are more energy efficient than flat routing protocols. Due to the random selection of Cluster Heads (CHs), LEACH has some deficiencies. Either centralized approaches of clustering such LEACH-Centralized (LEACH-C) and Base-Station Controlled Dynamic Clustering Protocol (BCDCP) or Semi-distributed approaches such Away CH scheme-LEACH (ACH-LEACH) had been proposed to provide convenient CHs selection. Although they balance the energy consumption during the steady state phase, additional energy cost is required at the setup phase. In this paper, we propose Intermittent Cluster Head Selection (ICHS) protocol. It provides the benefits of centralized protocols without resorting to losing a lot of energy within CHs selection process. ICHS performance will be evaluated using MATLAB simulator. From simulation results, we can conclude that ICHS improves the survival capabilities of the nodes in comparison with other conventional protocols.