A Study on Energy-Efficient Routing Protocols in Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) consist of spatially distributed, resource-constrained sensor nodes that monitor environmental or physical conditions and transmit data to a central sink. Energy efficiency is a critical concern, as limited battery life directly impacts network longevity and performance. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of energy-efficient routing protocols, including flat, hierarchical, location-based, and multipath approaches, alongside optimization techniques such as metaheuristic algorithms, multi-threshold segmentation, and load balancing with data aggregation. Performance evaluation focuses on network lifetime, energy consumption, packet delivery ratio, and latency. Challenges such as scalability, node heterogeneity, mobility, security vulnerabilities, and resource constraints are discussed, with potential solutions explored. Future research directions emphasize hybrid and adaptive routing, AI/ML-based energy optimization, IoT and edge integration, and energy harvesting strategies to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of WSN deployments.