Load sharing topology control protocol for harsh environments in wireless sensor networks

Energy conservation and network performance are the critical issues in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). This study designed and developed a novel communication efficient topology control protocol, which calls Load Sharing Topology Control Protocol (LS-TCP). LS-TCP is a well-designed protocol, including selecting suitable communication nodes, adjusting service loads of critical nodes, and adaptively sleeping management. LS-TCP is suitable for harsh environments without sensor identifications (ID) and locations. The proposed protocol principally divides the topology operation into topology formation phase and topology adjustment phases. In the topology formation phase, a enhance tree are set up. In the topology adjustment phase, enhance tree is adjusted with an optimal balance of critical nodes in backbone. Simulation results are performed using LS-TCP, which efficiently achieve much longer system life time in harsh environments.