A dynamic clustering routing algorithm for large-scale power wireless sensor networks based on UWB

With the rapid development of intelligent power equipment and the imperative for digital transformation of the power grid, large-scale Power Wireless Sensor Network (PWSN) have become a cornerstone for enabling real-time status monitoring, fault warning, and intelligent operation & maintenance (O&M) of critical grid assets, such as transformers, switchgear, and transmission lines. However, traditional narrowband wireless communication technology and network protocols lacking dynamic adaptability cannot support the high-speed and high-reliability data transmission requirements generated by large-scale sensors in power monitoring scenarios. In response to the above issues, this paper proposes a large-scale PWSN dynamic clustering routing algorithm(DCRA) based on ultra-wideband (UWB), aiming to balance network energy consumption and ensure transmission reliability through coordinated optimisation of UWB transmission, dynamic clustering, and link quality evaluation. Firstly, we designed a wireless communication module based on UWB, combined with reasonable device selection, to achieve low-cost and low-power high-speed transmission. Then, a DCRA is proposed, which can update the radius of clusters dynamically by introducing energy factor, location factor, and density factor, so as to balance the distribution of network energy consumption and prolong the network life cycle. Moreover, in order to improve the reliability of data transmission, link quality evaluation is added to the inter-cluster routing calculation. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the designed UWB module achieves a maximum transmission rate of 1.7Mbps, maintaining a reliable throughput of 837.6kbps at 100 meters with a packet delivery rate of no less than 97.4% even under conditions simulating real power plant interference and metal obstructions. Critically for industrial deployment, compared with other algorithms, DCRA extends the network lifetime by 28.14%-153.57%, which can alleviate the energy hole problem, effectively prolong the lifetime of large-scale PWSN, and improve data transmission reliability.