A Cluster-tree based Topology Control for Wireless Sensor Network

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is found to be one of the attractive research fields. The energy resource of each node in the WSN being limited, minimization of energy consumption is an important aspect. Therefore design of an energy efficient algorithm is of a major concern to enhance the network lifetime and performance. Here we present a clustering-tree protocol which takes an advantage in terms of clustering and tree management. This approach helps in controlling the topology of the network where the nodes are grouped together to form clusters and maintain a geographically close relation between the intermediate clusters. A node weighing higher based on its available energy level and its distance to the member nodes is selected as cluster head (CH). In the usual case of clustering the energy consumption of CH is more as it involves in several tasks like data collection from other in-cluster nodes, data aggregation and data transfer to base station or other clusters which may lead to sooner energy depletion and may require frequent change in the CHs. Here we introduce the concept of assistant cluster head (ACH) which acts as a support to the CH in carrying out several tasks of the CH thus maintaining the cluster with same CH for a considerable amount of time. The simulated results show that the algorithm provides better QoS with respect to delay and network lifetime as compared to LEACH and CTEF algorithms.