Optimized Energy-Aware Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks Using Genetic Algorithms

International Journal of Computer Science and Technology | Vol. 11, No. 2, February 2009 | pp. 9–16

DOI: 10.46882/2009/IJCST/000011

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Optimized Energy-Aware Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks Using Genetic Algorithms

Names of Authors: John A. Benson¹, Mariam O. Al-Kouri²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Computer Science, University of Excellence, London, UK; ²School of Information Technology, Global Tech Institute, Dubai, UAE

Abstract: Energy conservation remains a critical challenge in the deployment of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) due to the limited battery capacity of sensor nodes. This paper presents an Optimized Energy-Aware Routing Protocol (OE-ARP) that minimizes total network energy consumption while maximizing throughput. We utilize a Genetic Algorithm (GA) approach to dynamically select optimal cluster heads based on residual energy, node density, and distance to the base station. Simulation results demonstrate that OE-ARP reduces energy dissipation by up to 28.5% compared to traditional LEACH protocols. Furthermore, the network lifetime is extended by approximately 340 rounds of transmission under a standard 100-node topology. Statistical evaluation via ANOVA confirms the significance of our optimization model with a p-value less than 0.05. The protocol ensures balanced load distribution, preventing early node death in high-traffic zones. We conclude that integrating GA into hierarchical routing provides a robust solution for long-term environmental monitoring applications where battery replacement is impractical.

Keywords: Wireless Sensor Networks, Genetic Algorithms, Energy Efficiency, Cluster Head Selection, Routing Protocol, Network Lifetime

Manuscript Timeline: Received: November 12, 2008; Revised: December 20, 2008; Accepted: January 15, 2009; Published: February 5, 2009

Citation: Benson, J. A., & Al-Kouri, M. O. (2009). Optimized Energy-Aware Routing Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks Using Genetic Algorithms. International Journal of Computer Science and Technology, 11(2), 9–16.

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