In pursuit of enhancing the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) energy efficiency and operational lifespan, this paper delves into the domain of energy-efficient routing protocols. In WSNs, the limited energy resources of Sensor Nodes (SNs) are a big challenge for ensuring their efficient and reliable operation. WSN data gathering involves the utilization of a mobile sink (MS) to mitigate the energy consumption problem through periodic network traversal. The mobile sink (MS) strategy minimizes energy consumption and latency by visiting the fewest nodes or pre-determined locations called rendezvous points (RPs) instead of all cluster heads (CHs). CHs subsequently transmit packets to neighboring RPs. The unique determination of this study is the shortest path to reach RPs. As the mobile sink (MS) concept has emerged as a promising solution to the energy consumption problem in WSNs, caused by multi-hop data collection with static sinks. In this study, we proposed two novel hybrid algorithms, namely” Reduced k-means based on Artificial Neural Network “(RkM-ANN) and “Delay Bound Reduced k-means with ANN” (DBRkM-ANN) for designing a fast, efficient, and most proficient MS path depending upon rendezvous points (RPs). The first algorithm optimizes the MS’s latency, while the second considers the designing of delay-bound paths, also defined as the number of paths with delay over bound for the MS. Both methods use a weight function and k-means clustering to choose RPs in a way that maximizes efficiency and guarantees network-wide coverage. In addition, a method of using MS scheduling for efficient data collection is provided. Extensive simulations and comparisons to several existing algorithms have shown the effectiveness of the suggested methodologies over a wide range of performance indicators.

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have emerged as crucial tools for real-time environmental monitoring through distributed sensor nodes (SNs). However, the operational lifespan of WSNs is significantly constrained by the limited energy resources of SNs. Current energy efficiency strategies, such as clustering, multi-hop routing, and data aggregation, face challenges, including uneven energy depletion, high computational demands, and suboptimal cluster head (CH) selection. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a hybrid methodology that optimizes energy consumption (EC) while maintaining network performance. The proposed approach integrates the Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy with Deterministic (LEACH-D) protocol using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Bayesian Regularization Algorithm (BRA). LEACH-D improves upon conventional LEACH by ensuring more uniform energy usage across SNs, mitigating inefficiencies from random CH selection. The ANN further enhances CH selection and routing processes, effectively reducing data transmission overhead and idle listening. Simulation results reveal that the LEACH-D-ANN model significantly reduces EC and extends the network’s lifespan compared to existing protocols. This framework offers a promising solution to the energy efficiency challenges in WSNs, paving the way for more sustainable and reliable network deployments.