Node Degree Topology Control Routing Protocol Based on Weighted Link Quality Calculation

This research investigates the challenges of achieving efficient, reliable data transmission in underwater sensor networks (UWSNs) considering the unique underwater environment, which is characterized by channel fading, and the limited energy resources of nodes. These factors lead to data corruption and interruption. A node-degree topology control routing protocol (NDTCRP) is proposed to address these issues. The NDTCRP uses weighted link-quality computation to identify the optimal relay node and adjust the transmission power, particularly in high-node-density scenarios. The NDTCRP selects the optimal relay node according to residual energetic reserves and link quality with neighbor nodes, modulating the emission power as necessary to minimize energy consumption. Additionally, the protocol incorporates a communication void handling mechanism to address communication holes, ensuring the successful routing of data packets to their intended destinations. MATLAB simulation experiments substantiate the NDTCRP's significant efficacy in mitigating the overall energy expenditure and packet loss in underwater acoustic communication networks.