Abstract

The protocol dynamically adjusts transmission power based on node depth and residual energy, reducing communication overhead and prolonging network lifetime. The proposed methodology employs a multi-step approach, starting with the initialization phase, where nodes calculate their depth and energy levels. Following this, a depth-based clustering mechanism organizes nodes into clusters, allowing more efficient data aggregation. The routing process then prioritizes nodes with higher energy levels, reducing premature node failure. A novel energy-aware transmission algorithm ensures that data packets are transmitted over the most energy-efficient paths, thus extending the overall network longevity. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed protocol achieves significant improvements in energy consumption, data transmission reliability, and network lifetime compared to traditional methods. The conclusion discusses the potential future enhancements, including adaptive algorithms that can further reduce energy consumption in large-scale UWSNs.