Evaluation Metrics and Optimization Strategies for Routing Protocols in Resource-Constrained Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have become essential in modern applications such as smart cities, industrial automation, and environmental monitoring. However, their effectiveness is significantly influenced by the efficiency of routing protocols, which must operate within the constraints of limited energy, memory, and computational power. This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of routing protocols tailored for resource-constrained WSN nodes, focusing on energy efficiency, computational overhead, communication performance, scalability, and security. A comparative analysis of major routing protocols—including AODV, LEACH, GPSR, DSDV, and PEGASIS—is conducted to highlight their suitability for different WSN applications. Furthermore, optimization strategies are proposed to enhance protocol efficiency, including adaptive duty cycling, hybrid routing models, hierarchical clustering, and lightweight security enhancements. The insights provided in this study offer a structured approach for selecting and optimizing routing protocols to meet the diverse demands of realworld WSN deployments.