# Empowering WBANs: Enhanced Energy Efficiency Through Cluster-Based Routing and Swarm Optimization
## 1 Introduction  
Recent wireless communication technology and microelectronics developments have improved breakthrough low-cost sensor nodes (SNs). WSN devices can transmit data wirelessly without the assistance of humans, forming a wireless sensor network (WSN). The scalability, brevity, and inexpensive cost of nodes make them an excellent choice for deployment in various fields [1]. WBAN comprises many small, lightweight, low-power sensors with wireless communication capabilities. These kinds of sensors are found on the body; they can be implanted within the skin, attached to clothing or biosensors [2]. A network of sensors is produced from multiple widely dispersed sensors inside or close to instances [3]. Moreover, this network type finds applications in various domains, including the military [4]. Continuous development of remote WBANs and widespread computing resulted in an unlimited use of these developments in the positive domain [5]. For each nodepositioned inside a designated network area, WSNs facilitate central communication [6]. WBANs are wearable/implantable networks of small, lightweight, low-power sensors [7]. WBANs are a subdivision of WSNs, and the primary goal of WBANs is to continuously monitor patients' health status to generate alerts when critical situations are discovered [8]. WBANs assist medical staff in regularly monitoring patients by implanting or placing sensors within the patient. WBAN sensors monitor a patient's vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, and blood sugar levels, among other things. The collected biological data are transmitted to a central server, where medical personnel can access it anytime. Medical monitoring procedures frequently require multiple sensors on the patient's body. Body sensor units (BSUs) are another name for these SNs. Biological data are collected from these body sensor units and sent to body control units (BCUs) before being sent to the base station (BS). For example, if a patient has high blood pressure but no pain symptoms, they are at risk of developing severe heart disease. Continuous surveillance of critical parameters allows for an efficient early detection and prevention system. According to some researchers, healthy WBAN application operations are severely hampered by power-constrained sensor node networks. As a result, the energy consumption of sensor nodes is a critical problem in WBANs [9]. Several protocols have recently been developed to address energy efficiency in WSNs, some unique to WBANs. The energy efficiency and lifetime of sensor networks are considered top priorities in WSNs. Many clustering protocol methods have been proposed for WSNs, whereas only a few protocols focus on WBANs [10]. Researchers have proposed several new ideas to reduce the energy consumption of WBANs. Key research questions include energy-efficient routing and clustering. Cluster-based methods typically divide the entire system into multiple clusters, and the system has a stratified architecture. Most clustering methods classify all SNs as cluster members (CMs) or CHs. The cluster's CH is selected from all nodes using node location, power, and degree. The CM perceives and collects information before transmitting it to the CH node, which then transmits it to the sink node. Cluster nodes solve problems with long-distance communication and network topology control. As a result, cluster-based routing protocols can save node power, increase network lifespan, and have low control overhead. Several metaheuristic approaches have been extensively utilized in recent years to obtain the best solutions to NP-hard problems. Researchers prefer metaheuristic algorithms because of their adaptability, brevity, and low difficulty. Over the last two decades, various biomimetic optimization algorithms, such as grey wolf, whale optimization, and particle swarm, have been widely used in various self-organizing networks for localization, CH selection, control structure, clustering, and routing.