Abstract:In order to bring the potential advantages of directed diffusion routing into full play in wireless sensor networks, the minimum hop routing (MHR) protocol based on directed diffusion is improved, and the MLN (MHR based on Lowest Level Neighbors) routing protocol is presented. In the MLN, by limiting the gradient level width of directed diffusion gradient field, the connectivity of logical topology in wireless sensor networks is enhanced, so that the reliability of data aggregation is improved. At the same time, by changing the data-packet forwarding rule of hop-by-hop in the MHR to the rule of data-packet being priority forwarded by the lowest-level neighbors in the MLN, the real-time performance and the energy efficiency of data aggregation are improved on the premise of high data aggregation reliability. The theoretical analysis and simulation results validate that the MLN routing protocol not only enhances the connectivity, but also improves the comprehensive performances of directed diffusion routing in wireless sensor networks.