Research on data transmission and energy consumption optimization in steel plant terminal networks based on improved sep protocol

In steel plants with harsh conditions, numerous devices equipped with wireless sensors generate vast data and high energy consumption. Our study introduces the optimized PK-SEP algorithm, enhancing the Stable Election Protocol (SEP) and traditional K-means clustering with the elbow method and particle swarm optimization. This approach, tailored for large-scale WSNs in steel plants, effectively extends network lifespan, conserves energy, and improves data throughput, offering a viable solution for energy issues in WSNs and potentially boosting steel production efficiency and sustainability.