A Distributed Load Balancing Clustering Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks, energy consumption is one of the main constraints that limit the effects of their applicabilities. Clustering provides a practical solution to improve energy efficiency. However, the loads of each cluster head are not balance. Thus, the energy cannot be consumed evenly in each cluster head. To overcome this problem, we propose a distributed load balancing clustering algorithm (DLBCA). Without relying on central nodes, the sensor nodes can separately determine their roles (cluster heads or cluster members) and the clustering structure. The determination of cluster heads is based on the residual energy of sensor nodes and the distance to other nodes. DLBCA defines three matrixes (DD, Flag and FlagDis), which are related to the clustering. Through the matrixes, DLBCA can assign balanced and appropriate member nodes for the CHs. Our experimental results show that the DLBCA has better load balancing, longer life cycle and higher energy efficiency compared with existing algorithms.