A Survey of Routing Protocols for Maximizing the Lifetime of Ad Hoc Wireless Networks

The principal focus of this survey is on how to maximize the useful lifetime of ad hoc wireless networks through energy-efficient routing. Most of the studies on energy-aware routing protocols do not provide clear-cut notions about a network’s lifetime and therefore there is a lack of clear objectives in the design of algorithms. Hence, first the operational lifetime of ad hoc networks is defined. Then, published works that give solutions to energybased problems are analysed by placing emphasis on common characteristics and drawbacks. It is aimed to reveal the factors that influence the depletion of energy in ad hoc networks. This should aid the design of energy-efficient solutions. Load balancing routing protocols are also surveyed as a means for extending a network’s operational lifespan, which is a technique that is overlooked in the literature. The immediate implications that load balancing has for energy consumption are indicated. Subsequently, a classification of load balancing routing protocols is provided along with a summary of load balancing methods that may be useful for efficient energy consumption.