Optimization of Cluster Head Selection in Wireless Sensor Networks Using Hierarchical Algorithm and Genetic Algorithm

In the field of wireless sensor networks, optimal determination of the cluster head node is one of the most important issues, because the appropriate selection of the cluster head node can significantly decline energy utilization and ultimately increase the lifetime of the network. One way to decline energy utilization in wireless sensor networks is to cluster sensors. Two issues in this regard are how to select appropriate cluster heads and how to send aggregated data from cluster heads to sinks. In this investigation, it is suggested that when selecting cluster heads, it should be taken into account that cluster heads will play a role in sending each other's data to the sink, so that cluster heads can be selected that can perform multi-step data transmission with less energy utilization. The efficiency of the proposed method in clustering and routing of wireless sensor networks is much higher than the comparison method, which allows us to ignore this difference in computational complexity. The proposed method was evaluated using simulation and compared with several methods that solve the two problems of cluster head selection and multi-step routing between them independently in terms of network lifetime criteria. The results showed that the proposed method has improved the network lifetime.