A weight based energy-aware hierarchical clustering scheme for mobile ad hoc networks

Clustering in MANETs is a hierarchical approach of partitioning the network, combing nodes and forming groups called Clusters. The paper focuses on implementing a Clustering technique that is Energy Aware, and provides Stability by using a weighted approach for the selection of Cluster-Heads (CHs) that takes different parameters like power, mobility etc. into account while selecting the CH and thereby reducing the chances of reconfiguration. Energy awareness of the scheme is based on minimization of energy consumption by creation of clusters where numbers of nodes depend on the energy required for the completion of tasks and tasks are distributed amongst clusters to get Balanced Load. In addition, to provide stability and to be able to achieve all the tasks assigned to the nodes, we propose grouping according to relative mobility and merging of clusters depending on the similar mobility pattern, thereby achieving a stable network which is continuous. The paper includes performance evaluation and characteristic analysis of our clustering scheme along with comparison with some of the existing algorithms which form the basis for our algorithm in order to show the strength of this scheme over others.