An optimized routing protocol for energy-efficient data transmission in agricultural environments using WSN-based IoT networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) play a critical role in numerous domains such as agriculture, healthcare, and industry, with a particular emphasis on agricultural applications, where they enhance precision farming (PF). These networks employ internet of things (IoT) technology to efficiently monitor environmental conditions, track crop health, and manage irrigation systems, ultimately boosting agricultural productivity. However, challenges such as limited processing capabilities, memory, energy, and communication bandwidth can negatively impact performance. Security concerns also persist, as agricultural IoT devices must be protected against potential cyber threats. An IoT-based WSN architecture was implemented in this study specifically designed for smart agriculture (SA), featuring two main components: an energy-efficient routing protocol and a secure clustering protocol named the optimized secure clustering-based routing protocol (OSCBRP). The OSCBRP facilitates secure data transmission between nodes by employing trusted keys and the data encryption standard (DES) algorithm, noted for its low memory and processing demands. This hierarchical system prioritizes nodes based on their residual energy, allowing more capable nodes to handle intensive tasks. Significant improvements in network performance have been recorded, with the new architecture achieving a 98% increase in throughput, a 34% packet drop rate, and a latency of 0.002 seconds, while consuming only 0.2 joules of energy and maintaining a 15% routing overhead. These enhancements are substantial when compared to other existing methods, showcasing the potential of the implemented system to revolutionize data routing in agricultural settings. The OSCBRP not only ensures energy efficiency but also guarantees secure, optimized communication from sensor nodes to base stations (BS), establishing a robust framework for intelligent agriculture. This system effectively manages energy distribution and operational load, leading to a marked improvement in packet delivery rate (PDR) and overall network efficiency in smart agricultural applications.