A flexible weighted clustering algorithm based on battery power for Mobile Ad hoc Networks

Abstract

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANET) consist of a number of wireless hosts that communicate with each other through multi-hop wireless links in the absence of fixed infrastructure. The previous research on mobile ad-hoc network suggested the use of clustering algorithm because clustering makes it possible to guarantee basic levels of system performance, such as throughput and delay, in the presence of both mobility and a large number of mobile terminals. In this paper, we propose that the Flexible Weighted Clustering Algorithm based on Battery Power (FWCABP), leads to a high degree of stability in the network, minimizing the number of clusters, and minimizing the overhead for the clustering formation and maintenance by keeping a node with weak battery power from being elected as a cluster-head. Simulation experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of our algorithm in terms of the number of clusters formed, reaffiliation frequency, and number of cluster-head change. Results show that our algorithm performs better than existing ones and is also tunable to different kinds of network conditions.