An energy efficient cluster-based routing protocol using an integrated MCDM and EPO in WSNs

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are widely applied in monitoring and communication but remain constrained by limited energy resources. Efficient routing protocols are critical to prolong network lifetime and ensure balanced energy consumption among sensor nodes. Traditional cluster-based routing often fails to achieve optimal energy balance, leading to premature node failures and degraded performance. Intelligent optimization algorithms, including meta heuristics such as particle swarm optimization (PSO) and emperor penguin optimization (EPO), have been applied to improve routing efficiency. These methods enhance convergence and adaptability but typically operate as standalone approaches. Limited attention has been given to integrating multi criteria decision making (MCDM) methods with meta heuristics. Without this integration, assigning precise weights to multiple criteria and balancing energy consumption across nodes remains difficult. This paper proposes a novel uneven cluster-based routing protocol that integrates fuzzy constrained nonlinear programming- variable weight analysis-technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (FCNP-VWA-TOPSIS) with an improved EPO. The protocol first assigns accurate weights to seven multi criteria using FCNP VWA and selects cluster heads (CHs) with TOPSIS. It then constructs the routing tree using improved EPO guided by the weighted fitness function. Extensive simulations show that the proposed protocol achieves superior energy balance, extending network lifetime by 158.0%, 119.3%, and 113.7% compared to uneven clustering routing (UCR), unequal clustering fuzzy logic intelligent algorithm (UCFIA), and fuzzy multi-criteria clustering and bio-inspired energy-efficient routing (FMCB ER), respectively. By combining MCDM and meta heuristic optimization, the protocol advances cluster-based routing in WSNs, significantly enhancing energy efficiency and reliability for real world applications.