A smart clustering-based contention free protocol in wireless sensor networks

Scope and method of study. The goal of this thesis is a contention free MAC protocol which employs dynamic clustering and smart selection of cluster heads to minimize the load on cluster heads. In protocols employing clusters to systematically forward frames, the cluster head collects frames from its cluster members and then forwards it to the sink in a systematic way. These protocols are used in pre-formation of clusters and the election of cluster head is random and control messaging and frame forwarding are done by the cluster head which depletes its. We seek a method where in the formation of cluster is limited to the region of interest and the choice is made dynamic. In this method, the same mote is not preselected and the amount of mote usage as cluster head is brought down.;Findings and conclusions. The sequential and controlled forwarding of information about events by smart clusters as discussed in this thesis avoid contention. This is achieved by forming clusters dynamically and the selection of cluster heads is also dynamic. Thus when clusters are formed, cluster heads may not be the same each time. The thesis shows than more than 90% of the cluster members are neighbors for the cluster heads and this makes it possible for the cluster heads to communicate with its cluster members in a single hop. This lessens the traffic in clusters and increases mote life. This contention free protocol increases the bandwidth of the sensor network.