Energy-efficient spectrum-aware clustering for cognitive radio sensor networks

Abstract

As a smart combination of cognitive radio networks and wireless sensor networks, recently introduced cognitive radio sensor network (CRSN) poses new challenges to the design of topology maintenance techniques for dynamic primary-user activities. This paper aims to provide a solution to the energy-efficient spectrum-aware CRSN clustering problem. Specifically, we design the clustered structure, establish a network-wide energy consumption model and determine the optimal number of clusters. We then employ the ideas from constrained clustering and propose both a centralized spectrum-aware clustering algorithm and a distributed spectrum-aware clustering (DSAC) protocol. Through extensive simulations, we demonstrate that DSAC can effectively form clusters under a dynamic spectrum-aware constraint. Moreover, DSAC exhibits preferable scalability and stability with its low complexity and quick convergence under dynamic spectrum variation. © 2012 The Author(s).