Routing Protocols in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Comprehensive Review and Future Perspectives
Puneet Kaur, Kiranbir Kaur, Deepak Kumar Verma, Kuldeep Singh, Keshav Kaushik, Vineeta Singh · 2024
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have significantly transformed diverse domains such as industrial automation, healthcare, disaster management, and environmental monitoring. The complex interaction of routing protocols, essential for enabling smooth data transport despite the specific difficulties in WSN environments, is the core of their success. The objective of this study is to get a accurate understanding of routing algorithms specifically projected for wireless sensor networks. Expanding upon the essential features and significant disputes faced in WSN systems, admitting limited energy resources, bandwidth constraints, and node processing capabilities, the discussion accentuates the significance of effective routing protocols. Furthermore, it thoroughly analyzes many forms of routing protocols, including basic hierarchical and flat schemes, as well as advanced location-based and data-centric protocols. The protocol category is thoroughly examined, uncovering its unique benefits, limitations, and suitability for various WSN applications. Furthermore, the review reveals the latest developments and upcoming trends in WSN routing protocols, brooding areas such as energy efficiency, dependability, scalability, and adaptive resilience to changing network considerations. In conclusion, the evaluation furnishes a forward-looking view by outlining potential research areas and possible pathways for meliorating the designs of WSN routing protocols. The main goal is to heighten the efficacy and practicality of WSNs. In this work, we examined a number of routing algorithms according to important criteria including mobility, scalability, energy efficiency, and Quality of Service (QoS). We looked at how each method handles node mobility, performs as the network expands, guarantees dependable data transmission, and optimizes energy use. We also looked at ways for choosing the cluster head (CH), energy-saving data aggregation strategies, redundancy-reduction mechanisms, and the general appropriateness of each protocol for various WSN applications.