Optimal LEACH Protocol with Improved Bat Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks

A low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH) protocol is a low-power adaptive cluster routing protocol which was proposed by MIT's Chandrakasan for sensor networks. In the LEACH protocol, the selection mode of cluster-head nodes is a random selection of cycles, which may result in uneven distribution of nodal energy and reduce the lifetime of the entire network. Hence, we propose a new selection method to enhance the lifetime of network, in this selection function, the energy consumed between nodes in the clusters and the power consumed by the transfer between the cluster head and the base station are considered at the same time. Meanwhile, the improved FTBA algorithm integrating the curve strategy is proposed to enhance local and global search capabilities. Then we combine the improved BA with LEACH, and use the intelligent algorithm to select the cluster head. Experiment results show that the improved BA has stronger optimization ability than other optimization algorithms, which the method we proposed (FTBA-TC-LEACH) is superior than the LEACH and LEACH with standard BA (SBA-LEACH). The FTBA-TC-LEACH can obviously reduce network energy consumption and enhance the lifetime of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Keywords: Low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH) protocol, Bat algorithm, Curve decline strategy, Triangle-flipping strategy