A Survey on Clustering Algorithms for Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

Potential use of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) can be seen in various fields like disaster management, battle field surveillance and border security surveillance since last few years. In such applications, a large number of sensor nodes are deployed, which are often unattended and work autonomously. Clustering is a key technique used to extend the lifetime of a sensor network by reducing energy consumption. It can also increase network scalability. Sensor nodes are considered to be homogeneous since the researches in the field of WSNs have been evolved, but some nodes may be of different energy to prolong the lifetime of a WSN and its reliability. In this paper, we study the impact of heterogeneity of nodes to the performance of WSNs. This paper surveys different clustering algorithms for heterogeneous WSNs by classifying algorithms depending upon various clustering attributes.