Energy Efficient Routing Protocol and Cluster Head Selection Using Modified Spider Monkey Optimization

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) offer advantages in deployment flexibility and affordability due to their compact size and low cost. However, real-world WSN implementations face challenges, particularly regarding energy consumption. The limited battery capacity of sensor nodes restricts their operational lifespan, often resulting in; it is difficult to periodically replace the batteries in sensor nodes or recharge them, which reduces the system's overall operating time. To address the energy consumption challenge, WSNs are often divided into clusters. This clustering approach reduces communication costs and the energy required for routing data packets. Consequently, selecting the most efficient cluster head (CH) is crucial for maximizing the network's overall lifespan. This paper proposes a protocol that prioritizes energy efficiency, proximity to the base station, and even distribution within clusters when selecting CHs for intra-cluster communication. For inter-cluster communication, the protocol draws inspiration from the SMO protocol to identify the optimal next-hop CH based on remaining energy and distance to the base station. The performance of this proposed protocol is then compared against LEACH routing protocols. The simulation results indicate that the network becomes more optimized and energy efficient by using the proposed protocol.