A Hybrid Cluster-Based Energy-Efficient Routing Framework for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks
Abstract
Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) are important to facilitate effective communication of data in harsh aquatic conditions. Efficient routing is necessary in ensuring the transmission of data is reliable and consuming less energy. This paper presents a new algorithm, which is the Cluster-based Traveling Salesman Protocol (CTSP), combining the clustering algorithms with the Traveling Salesman (TS) protocol that will improve the routing efficiency of UWSNs. The main goal of the CTSP is to maximize the data communication among remote cluster heads to the sink node, and as a result minimization of the total energy consumption of the network. The offered framework includes two fundamental modules, which are node clustering and the TS-based routing scheme. The TS protocol is used to identify the most effective data transfer route of sensor nodes so that energy consumption is minimal. At the same time, the clustering algorithm clusters spatially close nodes so that local intra-cluster communication can be done, eliminating long distance communications between clusters. This hybrid approach is an effective way to reduce the consumption of energy and increase the life of the network.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
The authors declare that the research presented in this paper was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of academic integrity and scientific research. All authors have reviewed and approved the final manuscript and consent to its publication. There are no conflicts of interest or financial relationships that could have influenced the reported results.
References
- Heidemann, J., Li, Y., Syed, A., Wills, J., & Ye, W. (2006). Underwater sensor networking: Research challenges and potential applications. In Proceedings of the IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC) (pp. 228–235). IEEE.
- Akyildiz, I. F., Pompili, D., & Melodia, T. (2005). Underwater acoustic sensor networks: Research challenges. Ad Hoc Networks, 3(3), 257–279.
- Chitre, M., Shahabudeen, S., & Stojanovic, M. (2008). Underwater acoustic communications and networking: Recent advances and future challenges. Marine Technology Society Journal, 42(1), 103–116.
- Yan, H., Shi, Z., & Cui, J. (2008). DBR: Depth-based routing for underwater sensor networks. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Research in Networking (pp. 72–86). Springer.
- Nicolaou, N., See, A., Xie, P., Cui, J., & Maggiorini, D. (2007). Improving the robustness of location-based routing for underwater sensor networks. In Proceedings of the IEEE OCEANS Conference (pp. 1–6). IEEE.
- Casari, P., & Zorzi, M. (2011). Protocol design issues in underwater acoustic networks. Computer Communications, 34(17), 2013–2025.
- Coutinho, R. W. L., Boukerche, A., Vieira, L. F. M., & Loureiro, A. A. F. (2016). Design guidelines for opportunistic routing in underwater networks. IEEE Communications Magazine, 54(2), 40–48.
- Khalid, M., Khan, M. J., & Pirzada, S. N. (2021). Energy-efficient clustering with mobile sinks for underwater wireless sensor networks. IEEE Access, 9, 35472–35484.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Wireless Communication Systems and Technologies (Incl. Microwave and Millimetrewave), Communications Engineering (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Early Pub Date
December 11, 2025
Publication Date
December 16, 2025
Submission Date
October 24, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 7, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 1
APA
Bhavana, G., & Mitukula, R. (2025). A Hybrid Cluster-Based Energy-Efficient Routing Framework for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks. Turkish Journal of Engineering, 10(1), 244-251. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1809878
AMA
1.Bhavana G, Mitukula R. A Hybrid Cluster-Based Energy-Efficient Routing Framework for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks. TUJE. 2025;10(1):244-251. doi:10.31127/tuje.1809878
Chicago
Bhavana, Gurram, and Rajesh Mitukula. 2025. “A Hybrid Cluster-Based Energy-Efficient Routing Framework for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 (1): 244-51. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1809878.
EndNote
Bhavana G, Mitukula R (December 1, 2025) A Hybrid Cluster-Based Energy-Efficient Routing Framework for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10 1 244–251.
IEEE
[1]G. Bhavana and R. Mitukula, “A Hybrid Cluster-Based Energy-Efficient Routing Framework for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks”, TUJE, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 244–251, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.31127/tuje.1809878.
ISNAD
Bhavana, Gurram - Mitukula, Rajesh. “A Hybrid Cluster-Based Energy-Efficient Routing Framework for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks”. Turkish Journal of Engineering 10/1 (December 1, 2025): 244-251. https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1809878.
JAMA
1.Bhavana G, Mitukula R. A Hybrid Cluster-Based Energy-Efficient Routing Framework for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks. TUJE. 2025;10:244–251.
MLA
Bhavana, Gurram, and Rajesh Mitukula. “A Hybrid Cluster-Based Energy-Efficient Routing Framework for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks”. Turkish Journal of Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1, Dec. 2025, pp. 244-51, doi:10.31127/tuje.1809878.
Vancouver
1.Gurram Bhavana, Rajesh Mitukula. A Hybrid Cluster-Based Energy-Efficient Routing Framework for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks. TUJE. 2025 Dec. 1;10(1):244-51. doi:10.31127/tuje.1809878