ECMTADR: Energy Conservative Multitier Architecture with Data Reduction for Cluster-Based Wireless Sensor Networks

Regarding the energy shortage problem of wireless sensor networks (WSNs), various schemes and protocols are proposed to prolong the network lifetime. Data communication is undoubtedly the most important determinant for this energy scarce network type. In this paper, we propose a sophisticated architecture comprising data reduction, load balance, and topology control. Data reduction is ensured by the parameter spatial correlation proximity range (SCPR) that can be adjusted statically at the setup phase or dynamically revised depending on the necessities in the network. Four-layer virtual architecture is applied for implementing topology control. Furthermore, network area is partitioned into fixed-size hexagonal clusters. Depending on the regions in which the clusters take place, cluster heads (CHs) are elected from the respective subregions of the clusters. Load balance is achieved by considering residual energies and distances to the sink during both CH election and data transmission stages. Aggregated data in each cluster is transmitted towards the sink by using a load balancing single-hop intercluster routing protocol instead of direct transmission as offered in LEACH. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed architecture ECMTADR shows almost 50% better performance in terms of energy conservation and network lifetime when it is compared to LEACH and HEED.