Abstract: Prolonging network lifetime and obtaining better monitor duality are important performance indexes to the clustering algorithm for wireless sensor networks. Based on the analysis of the existing clustering algorithms,a relative distance clustering algorithm which adapts to multi-level energy heterogeneous sensor networks was proposed. For this algorithm,nodes decide the possibility of becoming cluster heads based on their average distance from other nodes, the distance from the base station and their own current residual energy. All nodes take turns to become cluster heads to share energy consumption. Simulation results show that in multi level energy heterogeneous sensor networks, compared with the existing algorithms, this new clustering algorithm can prolong the lifetime and has better network monitor quality.

Key words: Wireless sensor network, Heterogeneous environment, Clustering algorithm, Relative distance