AN SDN-BASED CLUSTERING APPROACH FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT AND INTELLIGENT WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK MANAGEMENT
Hassan Hadi Saleh, Abd Ali Hussein, Dheyab Salman Ibrahim, Omar Abdulkareem Mahmood, Mohammed Saleh Ali Muthanna · Telecommunications and Radio Engineering · 2025
This study introduces the concept of the combined software-defined networking (SDN) and clustering approach for wireless sensor networks (WSNs), which merges an SDN with adaptive clustering methodologies to advocate energy efficiency along with the management of the network. The proposed architecture utilizes a central SDN controller located at the base station (BS), which enables the creation of a flexible cluster based on the remaining energy and location of the sensor nodes (SNs). It happens through proper data and result transmission using an adaptive routing protocol; hence, it provides energy-efficient data aggregation at the CH. The performance evaluation shows that the combined SDN-based clustering approach for WSNs (CSCA-WSN) architecture lowers the average node energy use of nodes consumption by about 30%. Additionaly, it delays the first dead node (FDN) by 40%, which extends the network's lifespan and increases throughput by 25% compared to other traditional clustering protocols, such as LEACH. In sensor networks, the new architecture also reduces average delays (latency) by 20%, making it very suitable for real-time applications. The effectiveness of the integration of the SDN principle into WSNs in improving energy consumption and overall performance is presented.