# A Novel Dynamic Transmission Power of Cluster Heads Based Clustering Scheme
###### Abstract  
Clustering methods are promising tools for ensuring the network scalability and maintainability of large-scale flying ad hoc networks (FANETs). However, due to the high mobility and limited energy resources of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), it is difficult to maintain the network reliability and extend the network life of FANETs. In this paper, a new K-means algorithm is developed, and a dynamic transmission power of the cluster heads based clustering (DTPCH-C) scheme is proposed. The goal of this scheme is presented for FANETs to improve the reliability and lifetime of FANETs. Firstly, the optimal number of clusters is calculated and the initial UAV clusters are set up by a K-means algorithm. Then, using a weighted clustering algorithm, the adaptive node degree, the node energy and the distance from the cluster head are weighted and summed for the cluster head election. In the process of inter-cluster communication, the cluster head adjusts its transmit power in real-time through meshing and mobile prediction, thus saving the energy consumption and improving the network lifetime. The proposed DITCH-C simultaneously optimizes the cluster number, the cluster head energy consumption, the selected cluster head, and the cluster maintenance process. The simulation results show that compared with traditional clustering methods, the proposed DITCH-C has obvious advantages in terms of the network reliability, network life, and energy consumption. cluster head selection; cluster head transmission power variable; flying ad hoc network (FANET); mobility prediction; unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Article  
A Novel Dynamic Transmission Power of Clustering Scheme  
[PERSON]; [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON], [PERSON]. regarded as the task node, the UAV executes the task when under the control of the ground control station or other UAVs. If being used as the relay node [5], the UAV participates in routing maintenance and packet forwarding according to the routing policy and routing table of the network. Multiple UAVs work together to sense the task environments, through the FANET technique, which shares the information between multiple UAVs. The UAVs can also complete the task of the large scale region monitoring when line-of-sight communications are blocked [6], further reducing the dependence of the UAV swarm system on individuals. Because the individual UAV leaves or joins the system, the whole swarm system still has certain integrity and can continue to perform tasks. For FANETs, the increasing demand of routing in the field of communication is the most important subject currently. It is a challenge for a routing protocol to calculate the best optimal path in any network. Because of the dynamic spatial and temporal mobility of FANET nodes, the performance and efficiency of the routing protocol become very critical. One study [7] presents a novel routing protocol for FANET using modified AntHocNet. The protocol has better dependability than most current legacy best path selection techniques. Additionally, to exploit the advantages of UAV swarm systems, the number of nodes, the distribution range, and the network scale of FANET need to be enlarged. The use of an algorithm [8] is an effective method to improve the performance of FANET. This clustering algorithm can manage network energy consumption effectively and prolong the whole network life. By applying the cluster algorithm, the whole UAV network is divided into several smaller clusters. A cluster consists of a cluster head (CH) and several cluster members (CMs). The CH needs to be selected reasonably, as it is used to manage and maintain the cluster to which it belongs [9]. Compared with the planar structure, the clustered network structure can reduce the influence of local topological changes on the whole network [10]. In the process of route calculation and generation, only partial nodes are required to participate in the clustering algorithm, effectively reducing the cost of routing and control.