Title: Multi-agent-based clustering approach to wireless sensor networks

Authors: Elhadi M. Shakshuki, Haroon Malik, Tarek R. Sheltami

Addresses: Jodrey School of Computer Science, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada. ' Jodrey School of Computer Science, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada. ' Computer Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, KSA

Abstract: This paper presents a multi-agent system for hierarchical routing in a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). The agents communicate and collaborate with each other and benefit from learning techniques, more specifically genetic algorithms. The proposed system consists of four types of agents, including regional, interface, cluster and query agents. The regional agent resides on the base-station and performs genetic algorithm intense computing. The interface agent interacts with the users to fulfil their interests. The cluster agents manage all agents within clusters for query dissemination and efficiency in network. The query agents reside in each sensor and acquire, aggregate, process the useful data, and transmit the desired results. A prototype of all agents is simulated. For a given radio model our test results revealed that our multi-agent-based approach for hierarchical routing not only outperforms other routing protocols such as LEACH, but also determines the set of optimum clusters for various topologies.

Keywords: multi-agent systems; MAS; wireless sensor networks; WSns; routing; genetic algorithms; GAs; wireless networks; multi-agent systems; clustering; simulation; hierarchical routing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWMC.2009.028898

International Journal of Wireless and Mobile Computing, 2009 Vol.3 No.3, pp.165 - 176

Published online: 11 Oct 2009 *

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