Design and Implementation of EOICHD Based Clustered Routing Protocol Variants for Wireless Sensor Networks

Efficient energy utilization and network life prolongation are primary objectives to be considered when designing a Wireless Sensor Network. Cluster-based routing protocols are most suitable for achieving such goals. Energy and Optimal Inter Cluster Head Distance (EOICHD) is a cluster-based hierarchical routing protocol inspired by the Low-Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) protocol. EOICHD resolves the problems associated with LEACH protocol, such as selecting cluster head nodes in close proximity. By carefully selecting the cluster head nodes based on residual energy and optimal inter-cluster head distance, EOICHD ensures that selected cluster head nodes are separated by a certain optimal distance. This approach ensures uniform distribution of cluster head nodes across the entire network. The study of the EOICHD protocol presented so far is not sufficient. Hence, in this paper, we propose three variants of EOICHD protocol to understand its behavior in a better manner. A comparative analysis of all three EOICHD variants, LEACH and LEACH-central constrained (LEACH-C) protocol, is performed by considering comparative parameters such as alive nodes, cumulative network energy, data packets arrived at the base station, and stability of the network.