An optimal energy-throughput efficient cross-layer solution using naked mole rat algorithm for wireless underground sensor networks

Abstract Wireless Underground Sensor Networks (WUSNs) have emerged as prominent solution for variety of applications such as monitoring of underground pipelines, maintenance of power grids, smart and precision agriculture, sports fields maintenance, keeping check on underground oil leakage and many more. Whereas traditional electromagnetic wave communication mechanism doesn’t work good for such sensor networks, the magnetic induction (MI) technique offers stable communication channel conditions and therefore, is considered better option by researchers. As well as communication protocols are concerned in light of tough underground conditions, cross-layered approach has proven to be better in comparison to conventional layered protocol approach. In this article, a distributed cross-layer solution for MI-operated WUSNs will be proposed, which is based on a novel optimization approach - Naked Mole Rat algorithm (NMRA). This Distributed Energy-Throughput Efficient Cross-Layer solution using NMRA approach, also called as DECN, has been developed for Direct MI communication as well as MI waveguide communication (using relay coils) using the interaction of various layer features to fulfill Quality of Service (QoS) parameters and attain an optimal saving in energy consumption and at the same time, gain in throughput. The simulation results have indicated that significant energy saving, high performance efficiency and reliable channel communication are achieved with the proposed cross-layered approach for WUSNs.