Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are self-organizing monitoring networks with a large number of randomly deployed microsensor nodes to collect various physical information to realize tasks such as intelligent perception, efficient control, and decision-making. However, WSN nodes are powered by batteries, so they will run out of energy after a certain time. This energy limitation will greatly constrain the network performance like network lifetime and energy efficiency. In this study, to prolong the network lifetime, we proposed a multi-hop routing protocol based on game theory and coverage optimization (MRP-GTCO). Briefly, in the stage of setup, two innovational strategies including a clustering game with penalty function and cluster head coverage set were designed to realize the uniformity of cluster head distribution and improve the rationality of cluster head election. In the data transmission stage, we first derived the applicable conditions theorem of inter-cluster multi-hop routing. Based on this, a novel multi-hop path selection algorithm related to residual energy and node degree was proposed to provide an energy-efficient data transmission path. The simulation results showed that the MRP-GTCO protocol can effectively reduce the network energy consumption and extend the network lifetime by 159.22%, 50.76%, and 16.46% compared with LGCA, RLEACH, and ECAGT protocols.

翻译：无线传感器网络（WSN）是由大量随机部署的微型传感器节点组成的自组织监测网络，用于采集各类物理信息以实现智能感知、高效控制与决策等任务。然而，WSN节点依赖电池供电，经过一定时间后能量将会耗尽。这种能量限制将极大制约网络性能，如网络生命周期和能量效率。本研究为延长网络生命周期，提出了一种基于博弈论与覆盖优化的多跳路由协议（MRP-GTCO）。具体而言，在建立阶段设计了两种创新策略——引入惩罚函数的聚类博弈算法与簇头覆盖集合——以实现簇头分布的均匀性并提升簇头选举的合理性。在数据传输阶段，首先推导了簇间多跳路由的适用条件定理。在此基础上，提出了一种基于剩余能量与节点度的新型多跳路径选择算法，以构建高能效数据传输路径。仿真结果表明，与LGCA、RLEACH和ECAGT协议相比，MRP-GTCO协议能有效降低网络能耗，并将网络生命周期分别延长159.22%、50.76%和16.46%。