A Coverage-Aware Unequal Clustering Protocol with Load Separation for Ambient Assisted Living Based on Wireless Sensor Networks

Ambient Assisted Living(AAL) is becoming an important research field. Many technologies have emerged related with pervasive computing vision, which can give support for AAL. One of the most reliable approaches is based on wireless sensor networks(WSNs). In this paper, we propose a coverage-aware unequal clustering protocol with load separation(CUCPLS) for data gathering of AAL applications based on WSNs. Firstly, the coverage overlap factor for nodes is introduced that accounts for the degree of target nodes covered. In addition, to balance the intra-cluster and inter-cluster energy consumptions, different competition radiuses of CHs are computed theoretically in different rings, and smaller clusters are formed near the sink. Moreover, two CHs are selected in each cluster for load separation to alleviate the substantial energy consumption difference between a single CH and its member nodes. Furthermore, a backoff waiting time is adopted during the selection of the two CHs to reduce the number of control messages employed. Simulation results demonstrate that the CUCPLS not only can achieve better coverage performance, but also balance the energy consumption of a network and prolong network lifetime.

Evolutionary dynamics analysis of complex network with fusion nodes and overlap edges

Multiple complex networks, each with different properties and mutually fused, have the problems that the evolving process is time varying and non-equilibrium, network structures are layered and interlacing, and evolving characteristics are difficult to be measured. On that account, a dynamic evolving model of complex network with fusion nodes and overlap edges（CNFNOEs） is proposed. Firstly, we define some related concepts of CNFNOEs, and analyze the conversion process of fusion relationship and hierarchy relationship. According to the property difference of various nodes and edges, fusion nodes and overlap edges are subsequently split, and then the CNFNOEs is transformed to interlacing layered complex networks（ILCN）. Secondly,the node degree saturation and attraction factors are defined. On that basis, the evolution algorithm and the local world evolution model for ILCN are put forward. Moreover, four typical situations of nodes evolution are discussed, and the degree distribution law during evolution is analyzed by means of the mean field method.Numerical simulation results show that nodes unreached degree saturation follow the exponential distribution with an error of no more than 6%; nodes reached degree saturation follow the distribution of their connection capacities with an error of no more than 3%; network weaving coefficients have a positive correlation with the highest probability of new node and initial number of connected edges. The results have verified the feasibility and effectiveness of the model, which provides a new idea and method for exploring CNFNOE＇s evolving process and law. Also, the model has good application prospects in structure and dynamics research of transportation network, communication network, social contact network,etc.