A new multi-objective distributed fuzzy clustering algorithm for wireless sensor networks with mobile gateways

In the clustered wireless sensor networks (WSNs) studied, each cluster head (CH) transmits aggregated data from cluster members to the static base station by means of intermediate communication nodes in name mobile gateways. In order to reduce energy consumption along with reducing delays in packet delivery in the mentioned WSNs, two approaches are proposed: (1) designing a completely distributed fuzzy system to determine the eligibility of the node for being CH with two input factors, namely the general state of a sensor node in the WSN (GSoSN) and location of a sensor node relative to mobile gateway nodes (LoSNRtMG). By defining two early discussed factors, not only the accuracy of decision making in selecting the CH node enhances but also the computation overhead decreases; and (2) reducing communication overhead by applying the linear prediction method to estimate the next locations of the moving gateway nodes instead of periodical broadcasting of their location messages. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed idea has better performance in terms of reducing both energy consumption and delays in packet delivery metrics.