Abstract: A wireless sensor network node selection that efficiently manages active nodes using a Tabu heuristic coupled with minimum spanning tree routing protocol (TNS-MST) is presented. Nodal energy consumption is balanced to ensure all nodes are operating at the same energy level. To balance the energy consumption, nodes with high energy depletion are removed from routing by placing on them a Tabu list, which prevents the most used nodes, such as nodes close to a base station, from draining before their neighbors. The nodes in the Tabu lists are dynamically active according to the energy level of neighboring nodes. The Tabu list combined with Minimum Spanning Tree routing protocol, TNS-MST, greatly increases network lifetime by optimally balancing the energy of the sensor nodes.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network node selection that efficiently manages active nodes using a Tabu heuristic coupled with minimum spanning tree routing protocol (TNS-MST) is presented. Nodal energy consumption is balanced to ensure all nodes are operating at the same energy level. To balance the energy consumption, nodes with high energy depletion are removed from routing by placing on them a Tabu list, which prevents the most used nodes, such as nodes close to a base station, from draining before their neighbors. The nodes in the Tabu lists are dynamically active according to the energy level of neighboring nodes. The Tabu list combined with Minimum Spanning Tree routing protocol, TNS-MST, greatly increases network lifetime by optimally balancing the energy of the sensor nodes.