Design and Evaluation of a Distributed Clustering Algorithm for Mobile ad hoc Networks

    Authors

    D. Lacks; M. Chatterjee;T. Kocak

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Comput. J.

    Keywords

    ad hoc networks; clusterhead election; load balancing; cell fans; GPS-QHRA; WIRELESS NETWORKS; PROTOCOLS; Computer Science, Hardware & Architecture; Computer Science, Information; Systems; Computer Science, Software Engineering; Computer Science, ; Theory & Methods

    Abstract

    This paper proposes a new clustering algorithm for global positioning system (GPS)-based mobile ad hoc networks that takes into consideration the direction of the overall traffic flow in the network. The proposed cluster leader logic algorithm is motivated by the GPS quorum hybrid routing algorithm, where clusterheads are positioned on the terrain upon a conceptual cellular grid. The proposed distributed clustering algorithm chooses the clusterheads based on the traffic flow patterns, i.e. the nodes best suited to forward and route network traffic are selected. Our approach allows a clusterhead which is overwhelmed with sending packets to identify an additional clusterhead from nodes available in its cell to share its load. Likewise, clusterheads with low load will try to relinquish their role as a clusterhead. We propose a new concept called cell fanning that allows collocated clusterheads in one cell to share routing responsibilities by declaring which cells they are responsible for routing packets to. We conducted extensive simulation experiments with enforced directional traffic patterns. Two important results are presented: power consumption per clusterhead and average queuing delay for each clusterhead. Results in terms of message overheads, number of clusterheads, power consumption, and queuing delay reveal that system performance is enhanced when clusterheads are chosen considering the direction of the traffic flow.

    Journal Title

    Computer Journal

    Volume

    52

    Issue/Number

    6

    Publication Date

    1-1-2009

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    656

    Last Page

    670

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000269200300004

    ISSN

    0010-4620

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