Search

Summary: In this paper, we study a UAV‐based fog or edge computing network in which UAVs and fog/edge nodes work together intelligently to provide numerous benefits in reduced latency, data offloading, storage, coverage, high throughput, fast computation, and rapid responses. In an existing UAV‐based computing network, the users send continuous requests to offload their data from the ground users to UAV–fog nodes and vice versa, which causes high congestion in the whole network. However, the UAV‐based networks for real‐time applications require low‐latency networks during the offloading of large volumes of data. Thus, the QoS is compromised in such networks when communicating in real‐time emergencies. To handle this problem, we aim to minimize the latency during offloading large amounts of data, take less computing time, and provide better throughput. First, this paper proposed the four‐tier architecture of the UAVs–fog collaborative network in which local UAVs and UAV–fog nodes do smart task offloading with low latency. In this network, the UAVs act as a fog server to compute data with the collaboration of local UAVs and offload their data efficiently to the ground devices. Next, we considered the Q‐learning Markov decision process (QLMDP) based on the optimal path to handle the massive data requests from ground devices and optimize the overall delay in the UAV‐based fog computing network. The simulation results show that this proposed collaborative network achieves high throughput, reduces average latency up to 0.2, and takes less computing time compared with UAV‐based networks and UAV‐based MEC networks; thus, it can achieve high QoS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The spectrum sensing is a major significant task in cognitive radio networks (CRNs) to avoid the unacceptable interference to primary users (PUs). Here, the threshold value determines the effectiveness of spectrum sensing and regarded as a sensing system. The fixed threshold used by the current energy detection‐based spectrum sensing (SS) techniques does not provide sufficient safety for the main users. The threshold is determined by lowering the complete probability of decision error in addition to these guidelines. Therefore, an energy detection using nonparametric amplitude quantization optimized with arithmetic optimization algorithm for enhanced spectrum sensing in CRNs (ED‐NAQ‐AOA‐SS CRN) is proposed in this paper to acquire the ideal threshold for decreasing the total error probability. The proposed method achieves greater probability of detection of 99.67%, 98.38%, 92.34%, and 97.45%, lower settling time of 98.33%, 89.34%, 83.12%, and 88.96%, and lower error rate of 93.15%, 91.25%, 79.90%, and 92.88% compared with existing techniques, like intelligent spectrum sharing and sensing in CRN with adaptive rider optimization algorithm (AROA), a novel technique for spectrum sensing in CRN utilizing fractional gray wolf optimization with the cuckoo search optimization (GWOCS), and adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference scheme depending on cooperative spectrum sensing optimization in CRNs (ANFIS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A cooperative device‐to‐device (D2D) communication system with cognitive radio (CR) enabled that integrates ambient backscattering (AB) and energy harvesting is studied in this paper. Cellular network (CN) resources are exploited by D2D users. The transmission between source and destinations is hybrid (overlay or underlay) based on sensing information. In overlay, cellular users (CUs) are absent in the given channel; thus, relay transmits with high power based on available harvested energy. On the other hand, in underlay CUs are present, and they communicate with each other via base station (BS); thus, in D2D network, relay transmits with controlled power using nonorthogonal multiple‐access (NOMA) technique. In contrast to the conventional hybrid transmission, in the proposed work, relay adopts the ambient backscatter communications (ABCs) in underlay because RF signal of BS is available. The relay first backscatters the source information using available RF signal of BS; thereafter, it uses its own battery for controlled transmission and keeps the interference to the CU receiver within a tolerable limit. Spectrum sensing (SS) and a transmit power limitation are taken into consideration while developing analytical models for throughput, outage, and energy efficiency (EE). An algorithm is proposed to optimize the relay transmit power in the underlay scenario. Through meticulous simulation, the network performance in terms of throughput, outage, and EE is examined for hybrid transmission with ABCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the green design of rate‐splitting multiple access (RSMA) for multicell, multiantenna downlink communication systems to maximize rate fairness under quality of service (QoS) constraints. An optimization framework is developed to minimize the weighted sum power consumption by jointly optimizing transmit beamformers, power allocation, and common/private rate split while ensuring per‐user minimum rate requirements. The algorithm design explicitly considers the rate fairness among users via a newly proposed green fairness index. The nonconvex transceiver design problems are transformed into tractable forms and efficiently solved by applying tools from alternating optimization and successive convex approximation. Extensive simulations demonstrate that the proposed green RSMA optimization framework can effectively balance the throughput among cell‐edge and cell‐center users, hence combating the near‐far effect. Simulation results show that at 20‐dB SNR, green RSMA achieves over 20% and 50% sum rate improvement compared with NOMA and OMA, respectively. Moreover, green RSMA maintains high fairness among users, even when the channel conditions are disparate. When the weakest user is located 120 m from the base station, green RSMA exhibits a 21.2% higher fairness index than NOMA, showcasing its ability to ensure equitable service quality across users. The framework also achieves substantial energy efficiency gains, consuming less power while providing higher data rates than baseline schemes. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of green RSMA in enhancing spectral efficiency, user fairness, and energy efficiency in multicell, multiantenna communication systems, making it a promising solution for sustainable and high‐performance wireless networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to find novel applications across various domains. These applications require the support of efficient communication protocols in the Low Power and Lossy Networks (LLNs). The development of efficient multicast protocols is one such area that requires critical research attention. Efficient multicast protocols are especially important in the non‐storing mode of IPv6 Routing Protocol for LLNs (RPL), considering its applicability in real‐world IoT applications. However, the development of non‐storing RPL multicast protocols needs to handle the intricacies associated with source routing. Addressing these issues, this paper presents a novel multicast protocol named Multicast Forwarding in LLNs under Non‐storing mode (MFLN). MFLN uses Bloom Filters to minimize the overhead that comes with source routing. While retaining the best features of multicast protocols operating in the storing mode of RPL such as bidirectional traffic and cross‐layer optimization with ContikiMAC, MFLN also includes a novel metric named Mode Selection Metric (MSM) to decide the suitable link‐layer forwarding method. MSM makes this decision based on the ability of a node, in terms of its residual energy, to perform multiple link‐layer unicasts. Thus, MFLN saves the node battery from running out and at the same time reduces the duplicate packets created due to link‐layer broadcasts. The simulations conducted using Contiki‐COOJA indicate considerable improvements in terms of packet delivery ratio, energy consumption per delivered packet, packet transmissions, end‐to‐end delay, and normalized routing overhead for the proposed protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks (WMSNs) are composed of a large number of sensor nodes that are distributed in a region to collect and transmit data. Video transmission is one of the most important applications of WMSNs because it can provide critical information about monitored areas. WMSNs face challenges related to energy consumption, bandwidth usage, and network congestion related to huge amounts of data collected by sensors. To tackle this problem, this paper proposes the Distributed Video Transmission Reduction Approach for Energy Saving in WMSN (DiViTRA). The method involves two phases: sensing and transmission phases. DiViTRA achieves frame rate adaptation to reduce the number of captured video frames and save energy during the sensing phase. In the transmission phase, three effective techniques, ORB (Oriented FAST and Rotated BRIEF), Brute‐Force (BF) Matcher, and Grid‐based Motion Statistics (GMS) are applied to decide whether to transmit the current captured frame or remove it and adjust the frame capturing rate of the video sensor accordingly. In the case of frame transmission, the DiViTRA approach compresses the frame using two data reduction approaches: PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and Huffman encoding. Through simulations, DiViTRA demonstrates a 12% reduction in energy consumption, and 71% is a ratio of reduction in sent frames while preserving stream quality. The approach has been validated in scenarios involving critical events, showcasing its efficacy in maintaining data integrity during transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The handoff rate and load balancing are two important issues that have a great impact on the spectrum and energy efficiency in the small‐cell networks (SCN). This paper investigates the handoff optimization in SCN with power‐domain non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) that uses successive interference cancelation (SIC), considering the fairness among base stations (BSs). We study the joint base station association and power control problem by considering the motion of mobile users (MUs) and load balancing in the SCNs. Under the maximum allowable transmit power and minimum average‐rate constraints, two optimization problems are formulated using the number of associated MUs, the number of handoffs, and the transmit power of all MUs. The total power consumption minimization and the system‐wide and handoff utility maximization problems are combined into a single‐stage optimization problem through the weighted‐sum method. We solve the formulated problem using a game theory‐based algorithm and primal decomposition theory. The simulation results show that our proposed algorithm can significantly reduce the frequent handoffs and bring a fair power‐controlled BS association in SCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Even with existing methodologies, dynamic resource allocation, service inconsistency, operational costs, and excess energy/power consumption in optical access networks remain the key challenges for the next‐generation passive optical network (NG‐PON) design and development. This paper introduces a novel method for analyzing energy/power consumption in time and wavelength division multiplexed (TWDM) passive optical networks (PONs) with a ring‐based topology. We propose subscriber‐based channel allocation models (CAMs) for on‐demand services, allocate bandwidth dynamically, and evaluate their downstream power consumption. To determine the necessary optical devices for the various CAMs, we investigate subscriber take‐up rates by optimizing the utilization of optical components based on active subscribers. Implementing a novel Poisson distribution‐based network traffic model addresses energy‐related concerns and explores optimization techniques to minimize power and improve energy efficiency. With a take‐up rate of 64 active subscribers, simulation results show significant power consumption reductions ranging from 62.2 to 67.7%, achieved by the proposed subscriber‐based architecture models with varying subscriber counts, when compared with the conventional model. The model with the most subscribers (2048 subscribers) saves the most energy by reducing power consumption to 292 W from the conventional model's (2048 subscribers) 440 W. Furthermore, the model with the most subscribers saves 33.4% of energy, outperforming other subscriber‐based architecture models without affecting QoS even during peak hours of the day. These numerical results show that TWDM‐PONs with the most subscribers exhibit improved energy efficiency than the conventional and other proposed subscriber‐based architecture models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary By transmitting concurrently signals of different users, non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) meliorates spectral efficiency. Moreover, intelligent reflective surface (IRS) is introduced as a bridge between a NOMA transmitter and a distant NOMA receiver. This role enhances spectral efficiency and communication reliability. Furthermore, energy scavenging underlay networks (ESUNs) enable unlicensed transmitters to operate using scavenged energy on licensed spectrum allotted to licensed transmitters, enhancing both spectral and energy efficiencies. Although IRS‐assisted NOMA further meliorates spectral efficiency and communication reliability for traditional ESUNs, it faces challenges like fading severity and nonlinear energy scavenging (nlES), which directly impact scavenged energy and communication reliability. Thence, the paper assesses three pivotal performance metrics—energy efficiency, outage probability, and throughput—for IRS‐assisted NOMA in ESUNs, shortly RaNOehU, considering realistic factors such as relatively‐general Nakagami‐m fading and nlES. Demonstrative results reveal that the quantity of reflective elements, fading severity, and nlES dramatically influence the performance of RaNOehU. Notably, appropriate selection of power/time division parameters and desired data rate can hinder complete outage and attain optimum performance. In addition, the proposed IRS‐assisted NOMA is shown to outperform its reference, which is IRS‐assisted orthogonal multiple access, emphasizing the advantages of NOMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), routing based on cluster construction is highly preferred as it greatly supports reliable data communication, load balancing, and fault tolerance with extended network lifetime. In specific, metaheuristic approach‐based dynamic cluster heads (CHs) selection has the possibility of enhancing the lifespan of network and at the same time is capable in reducing the energy consumption. In this paper, hybrid grasshopper and Harris hawk optimization algorithm‐based energy efficient routing protocol (HGHHOA) is propounded for optimal CH selection. This proposed HGHHOA approach adopted a fitness function that incorporated the factors of residual energy, distance between CH and cluster members, distance between selected CHs and the sink, node centrality, and node degree into account. The fitness function values of optimality facilitate a potential CH selection with significant cost‐effective routing. It is proposed with primary objective of improving the network lifespan through optimized selection of CHs that balances the available energy in a predominant way. It is proposed with significance of handling premature convergence with minimized energy consumption and network lifetime through the possibility of establishing an ideal balance between number of alive and dead nodes. The results of this proposed HGHHOA approach with varying rounds of implementation exhibited better results in throughput and residual energy which is 23.98% and 29.21%, better than the bassline CH selection mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Wireless body area networks (WBANs) are becoming widely considered in remote healthcare monitoring applications. However, WBAN nodes have limited resources; therefore, effective and reliable routing protocols are pivotal research challenges. Furthermore, balancing the traffic load among sensor nodes is also highly required to increase network stability. In recent years, many interesting routing solutions have been proposed for WBANs; however, the significant feature in terms of stability and energy in these solutions has not been sufficiently addressed. Therefore, in this context, the Hot‐Sspot Aaware Multicost‐based Energy‐efficient Routing (H‐SAMER) protocol is proposed in this paper. The suggested protocol used multieffective cost function for next‐hop node selection based on the data type, where the patient's data are categorized into three classes: normal data, on‐demand data, and emergency data. Furthermore, the H‐SAMER protocol adds awareness to the transmission of control packets by adding the cost value to the RREQ packets. Thus, the simulation scenario shows that the H‐SAMER saves energy 8.57%, 88%, 98%, 97%, and 100% greater than E‐HARP, EH‐RCP, CO‐LAEEBA, EECBSR, and ELR‐W, respectively. Moreover, the first node death of the proposed H‐SAMER is delayed to round number 7500, which proves H‐SAMER to be a stable and reliable effective solution for WBANs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Internet of things–enabled wireless sensor networks face challenges like inflexibility, poor scalability, suboptimal cluster head selection, and energy inefficiencies. This is due to the faster data transmission rates between cluster nodes during data packet routing. This creates unnecessary energy consumption burdens for those actively transmitting nodes. Conceptually, an effective cluster formation phase supports better data routing mechanisms, while sustaining the energy efficiency of individual nodes. This paper proposes a Neuro‐Fuzzy based Cluster Formation (NFCF) scheme to facilitate adaptive and energy‐efficient cluster topologies. NFCF utilizes fuzzy logic and neural networks to identify optimal super nodes for flexible cluster formations. This approach enables configurable cluster sizes along with inclusion/exclusion criteria for member nodes based on energy thresholds. Parameters evaluated for node selection include the degree of super node, expected energy per cluster, energy variance, and residual energy. Nodes not meeting the thresholds are excluded. The neural network updates fuzzy rules to guide optimal clustering decisions based on anticipated energy dynamics under different conditions. The performance of the proposed NFCF scheme is evaluated based on objective function changes related to data transmission, individual node energy variation, energy variance before and after transmissions, and averaged end‐to‐end delay across transmission cycles. Results are compared against genetic fuzzy clustering, fuzzy energy‐aware clustering, fuzzy‐based distributed clustering, fuzzy logic‐based multi‐hop clustering, and fuzzy weighted k‐means clustering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The performance of millimeter‐wave (mmWave) multiple‐input multiple‐output (MIMO) systems has been significantly enhanced by the incorporation of dynamic reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS). This paper proposes a novel dynamic channel estimation technique that combines dynamic atomic norm minimization with dynamic RIS to optimize RIS‐aided mmWave MIMO systems. Leveraging the dynamic nature of both atomic norm minimization and RIS, the proposed approach efficiently adapts to changing environmental conditions, providing robust and accurate channel estimation. By dynamically optimizing the RIS configuration, the system achieves improved spectral and energy efficiency, enabling high‐speed and reliable communication in challenging mmWave environments. Theoretical analysis and simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed dynamic channel estimation technique, highlighting its potential for enhancing the performance of future wireless communication systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), trusted routing path needs to be determined for guaranteeing reliable data dissemination with maximized Quality of Service (QoS). But the sensor nodes may not exhibit a cooperative behavior for the objective of conserving energy and remaining active in the network. Trust management techniques are essential for alleviating the problem of packet dropping attacks of sensor nodes that intentionally deteriorates the performance of the network. In this paper, Hybrid ELECTRE and bipolar fuzzy PROMOTHEE‐based trust management (HEBFPTM) scheme is proposed for addressing the impact of packet dropping attacks that targets on improving QoS in WSNs. This is proposed as a multi‐criteria decision analysis solution for obtaining feasible number of parameters that could be derived from the sensor nodes of the network to determine its cooperation degree in the network. This HEBFPTM is proposed with the objective of integrating the ordinal evaluation of mobile nodes into a cardinal procedure using the method of PROMETHEE to attain quantitative and qualitative analysis that aides in identifying the weights of each criterion considered for cooperation determination using pairwise comparison. It adopted three preference models using partial, complete, and outranking through intervals. It handled the problem of uncertainty using the merits of bipolar fuzzy that helped in attaining the weight of the criteria and preference functions used for ranking the sensor nodes in the routing path. The experiments of the proposed HEBFPTM achieved using ns‐2 simulator confirmed its efficacy in improving the attack detection rate by 21.38%, reduced false positive rate by 15.42%, maximized packet delivery rate of 18.94%, and reduced energy utilization of 19.84% better than the benchmarked approaches used for investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The long‐range wide area network (LoRaWAN) is a standard for the Internet of Things (IoT) because it has low cost, long range, not energy‐intensive, and capable of supporting massive end devices (EDs). The adaptive data rate (ADR) adjusts parameters at both EDs and the network server (NS). This includes modifying the transmission spreading factor (SF) and transmit power (TP) to minimize packet errors and optimize transmission performance at the NS. The ADR managed by NS aims to provide reliable and energy‐efficient resources (e.g., SF and TP) to EDs by monitoring the packets received from the EDs. However, since the channel condition changes rapidly in LoRaWAN due to mobility, the existing ADR algorithm is unsuitable and results in a significant amount of packet loss and retransmissions causing an increase in energy consumption. In this paper, we enhance the ADR by introducing Kalman filter‐based ADR (KF‐ADR) and moving median‐based ADR (Median‐ADR), which estimate the optimal SNR by considering the mobility later used to assign the SF and TP to EDs. The simulation results showed that the proposed techniques outperform the legacy ADRs in terms of convergence period, energy consumption, and packet success ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The cluster networking protocols are the roots that embed intelligent decision‐making and enhance the lifespan of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Wireless sensors with limited capabilities face several challenges due to the heterogeneous application environments. Especially, the mobility‐incorporated sensors in most situations trouble the cluster network's robustness. Many cluster networking protocols have been presented in the past to enhance the network lifespan and data delivery ratio. However, they lack a dedicated and efficient mechanism for mobility assistance, an adequate cluster management process and cluster head selection criteria. To overcome these issues and for the uniform energy load distribution, we propose a mobility‐compatible cache controlled cluster networking protocol (MC‐CCCNP) in this paper. It is an energy‐efficient cluster networking protocol that supports sensor movement. Network resource management and routing are controlled distributively by an optimal number of cache nodes. It defines a new strategy for cache node deployment based on neighbour density as well as a weight formula for cluster head selection and cluster formation based on the residual energy, the distance to the base station and the node velocity. It also includes techniques for detaching and reconnecting a mobile node to an appropriate cluster cache if it crosses the cluster boundary. We simulate and compare the performance of our protocol with the centralised energy‐efficient clustering routing, energy‐efficient mobility‐based cluster head selection protocol and dual tier cluster‐based routing protocols over different network configurations with varying mobility, scalability and heterogeneity. The MC‐CCCNP showed remarkable improvements in energy utilisation uniformity and energy consumption. With the improved network lifespan, it also maintains a higher data throughput rate of 95% or more in almost all network configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The solution of resource allocation is based on NOMA and OMA structures that are suboptimal to satisfy the demanding QoS and higher data rate requirements compared to EE requirements in 5G cellular networks. In this work, the resource allocation problem in the hybrid MC‐NOMA system is solved. The system achieves the trade‐off between spectral and energy efficiency (EE) with the lowest rate of user requirements. The system's resource allocation, including power allocation, is considered the crucial factor and is identified as a single‐objective problem. The suggested work focuses on user pairing and allocation on paired users following processing. The user grouping is designed to connect near‐ and far‐users with high C3 to increase the fairness of NOMA. As a result, this work considers multiple goals, such as C3 maximization, spectrum efficiency, and energy efficiency. This paper aims to present a novel hybrid optimization model with the combination of coati and bald eagle optimization algorithms, to solve the defined optimization problem. The experimental results show that the suggested system outperforms the conventional algorithms by evaluating different performance measures such as channel correlation, spectrum efficiency, energy efficiency, and power allocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Communicating large amounts of data requires an encryption solution that ensures fast and secure data transfer. Unfortunately, it faced privacy and security issues, resulting in higher power consumption, data scarcity, energy, diversity, data reliability, low security, and packet loss in the communication process. The goal of this research is to ensure data transfer while conserving energy and protecting data transmission in WSNs. Therefore, this paper proposes a multipath routing protocol using the HGSPSO algorithm, which is a combination of hybrid gravitational search algorithm (HGSA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), to securely transmit data from one node to another node under public and private key cryptography. The PSO approach is utilized to resolve the energy hole problem by selecting the cluster head in the sink coverage area. The RSA can be employed for data encryption, data decryption, key generation, and sharing. The metrics like acceleration constants and inertial weights are used for the HGSPSO algorithm. The result of this implementation demonstrated that the scheme had a low energy consumption of 36%, a maximum packet delivery ratio (PDR) of 96%, a higher throughput rate of 88%, and a low packet loss of 39%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this paper, we study the task offloading optimization problem in satellite edge computing environments to reduce the whole communication latency and energy consumption so as to enhance the offloading success rate. A three‐tier machine learning framework consisting of collaborative edge devices, edge data centers, and cloud data centers has been proposed to ensure an efficient task execution. To accomplish this goal, we also propose a Q‐learning‐based reinforcement learning offloading strategy in which both the time‐sensitive constraints and data requirements of the computation‐intensive tasks are taken into account. It enables various types of tasks to select the most suitable satellite nodes for the computing deployment. Simulation results show that our algorithm outperforms other baseline algorithms in terms of latency, energy consumption, and successful execution efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) wireless networks are a robust multi‐access mechanism that serves multiple clients accessing the same resource block simultaneously. The fifth‐generation wireless networks offer huge efficiency in spectrum utilization, which can be exploited to deploy NOMA for LOS communication of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Previous research has extensively analyzed various aspects of NOMA‐UAV communication systems, including user access fairness, coverage, maximizing system capacity, and total energy efficiency. However, only a few researchers have focused on maximizing the EE of NOMA‐UAV wireless networks with user quality of service (QoS) constraints. This paper proposes a fuzzy logic‐based crossover‐based coati optimization algorithm for maximizing the energy efficiency of NOMA‐UAV, along with user scheduling. The main objective of this model is to offer a solution to the joint energy efficiency and user QoS scheduling problem. The fuzzy decision‐making strategy optimizes the energy efficiency (EE) of NOMA‐UAV by selecting appropriate power and time resources. Additionally, the crossover‐based coati optimization algorithm transforms the subchannel allocation problem into a two‐sided matching procedure. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is evaluated concerning overall residual energy, number of remaining nodes, and time consumption. The experimental outcomes demonstrate the capability of the proposed model in optimizing the energy efficiency of the NOMA‐UAV network by identifying the optimal resource set in terms of time and power while satisfying the clients' QoS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Wireless sensor networks are an indispensable part of the present industrial and environmental scenario, with the everlasting challenges to increase network lifetime and reduce energy consumption. This paper presents an energy‐efficient adaptive clustering (EEAC) model, which is built upon the existing Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) protocol with mobile sink and rendezvous nodes. The nodes are energy aware and participate in cluster head selection only if their current energy is higher than the average energy for the round. The idle nodes in the rendezvous region, which do not act as rendezvous nodes undergo clustering within themselves for the efficient routing of data. The EEAC inspires local clustering successfully conserves the energy of continuous long‐range transmission and enhances network lifetime. The proposed scheme proves to be remarkably better than the previous schemes, especially in large network cross‐sections. It improves alive nodes' performance for around 50% more rounds than the optimizing‐LEACH and the remaining energy curves improve around 500 rounds for 250 mx250 m network. For 350 mx350 m and 450 mx450 m networks, the results improved much in EEAC. In addition, the improvement in stability period is 450%, 578%, and 198% for the network cross‐section 150 mx150 m, 200 mx200m, and 250 mx250 m, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) path planning can be treated as a nondeterministic polynomial (NP) hard concern or an optimization problem. The conventional approaches are unable to effectively handle these issues due to discontinuity, non‐linearity, multi‐modality, and inseparability. On the other hand, meta‐heuristic algorithms are effective at tackling these issues because they are simple, adaptable, and derivation free. To enhance the performance in a variety of challenging circumstances, this paper proposes a novel Q‐learning‐based multi‐objective sheep flock optimizer with a Cauchy operator (Q‐MOSFO‐CA) to solve the constrained UAV path planning issues. The multi‐objective functions considered here are costs and constraints (threat, terrain, turning, climbing, and gliding constraints) to determine the feasible and optimal path. To avoid the probability of falling into the local optimum and to address the shortcoming of unbalanced convergence and also to maintain the exploitation and exploration capability, the Cauchy operator (CA) is integrated with the sheep flock optimization (SFO) algorithm. The Q‐learning model is introduced to balance both the global and local searches. Here, the exploration model performs the global search whereas the exploitation model performs the local search to attain an optimal solution. In the simulation scenario, the statistical analysis is conducted under two scenarios, and some essential measures such as the number of iterations at convergence (NIC), evaluation time (ET), energy consumption, and convergence analysis are determined. The proposed method obtains NIC of 1305 and 1436, ET of 12.8 and 15.2 s, and energy consumption of 20,600 and 21,465 J for both Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]