Improving node localization and energy efficiency for wireless sensor networks using hyper-heuristic optimization algorithms

Abstract

Within the growing Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm, a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a critical component. In a WSN, sensor node localization is typically utilized to identify the target node’s current location at the sink node (SN). This allows local data to be analysed, making it more meaningful. However, there exists an intrinsic problem with node localization and energy efficiency, as identified in the literature, which has led to poor performance, namely, poor estimation, transmission, and detection of the network. This intrinsic problem also directly affects energy efficiency in a WSN, resulting in energy loss and poor node distribution in the WSN. There seems to be no lasting and reliable solution to this intrinsic node localization problem in WSNs. Hence, this research study proposed hyper-heuristic optimization algorithms to improve node localization and energy efficiency in WSNs. This research adopts the Design Research (DR) methodology and the Theory of Modelling and Simulation as the theoretical frameworks of the study. The hyper-heuristic model designed, was considered the conceptual framework of the study. To validate the novel technique, different sizes of sensor networks, namely: - 100 sensor nodes; 100 to 1 500 nodes and 200 to 450 sensor nodes with 20 anchor nodes were simulated in an area measuring 100m x 100m. The novel hyper-heuristic model was implemented in a MATLAB R2020a environment. The hyper-heuristic optimization algorithm’s substantial simulated experiment results were benchmarked utilizing state-of-the-art (modern) techniques to solve challenges related to node localization error, total energy consumed, average consumed packet energy, network throughput, shortest path, dead nodes, packets dispatched to the base station (BS), and the probability of error within the entire network dependent on size. The Data Energy Efficiency Clustering-Gaussian (DEEC-GAUSS) method was used to provide solutions to challenges related to energy efficiency in WSNs. In addition, this research study explored the use of the novel DEEC-GAUSS Gradient Distance Elimination Algorithm (DGGDEA) as the hyper-heuristic optimisation model for localization of nodes in WSNs. DEEC-GAUSS and DGGDEA were valuable additions to the body of knowledge. The results showed that the novel DEEC-GAUSS was the most energy efficient algorithm for 100 sensor nodes and 1000 to 1500 sensor nodes when compared to other stateof-the-art algorithms. Furthermore, the results showed that the novel DGGDEA was able to drastically minimize the node estimation error for sensor nodes. Reliability, accuracy and convergence using hyper-heuristic models to enhance the communication within WSNs has been simulated with evidence that DEEC-GAUSS and DGGDEA has outperformed other stateof-the-art approaches.