An Energy-Aware AUV-Assisted Data Collection Scheme for Maximizing Network Lifetime in UWSNs

Utilizing an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for data collection in underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) is a promising approach. However, since underwater sensor nodes are typically battery-powered and difficult to replace, effective energy management is crucial for extending the network lifetime of UWSNs. Additionally, the limited energy of the AUV presents further challenges. To address these issues, this paper proposes an energy-aware AUV-assisted data collection scheme based on dynamic clustering and cluster head selection (DCCHS) to maximize network lifetime. Specifically, we utilize the energy center to define the cluster center and employ a bottom-up hierarchical clustering approach to address the node dynamic clustering problem under the AUV movement distance constraint. Subsequently, we introduce a cluster head (CH) selection algorithm based on iterative optimization, and adds auxiliary CHs near the AUV path to reduce the energy consumption of CHs. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed DCCHS scheme significantly extends the network lifetime compared to existing schemes, particularly in scenarios with dense node deployment.