###### Abstract  
Clustering protocols and simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) technology can solve the issue of imbalanced energy consumption among nodes in energy harvesting-cognitive radio sensor networks (EH-CRSNs). However, dynamic energy changes caused by EH/SWIPT and dynamic spectrum availability prevent existing clustering routing protocols from fully leveraging the advantages of EH and SWIPT. Therefore, a multi-hop uneven clustering routing protocol is proposed for EH-CRSNs utilizing SWIPT technology in this paper. Specifically, an EH-based energy state function is proposed to accurately track the dynamic energy variations in nodes. Utilizing this function, dynamic spectrum availability, neighbor count, and other information are integrated to design the criteria for selecting high-quality cluster heads (CHs) and relays, thereby facilitating effective data transfer to the sink. Intra-cluster and inter-cluster SWIPT mechanisms are incorporated to allow for the immediate energy replenishment for CHs or relays with insufficient energy while transmitting data, thereby preventing data transmission failures due to energy depletion. An energy status control mechanism is introduced to avoid the energy waste caused by excessive activation of the SWIPT mechanism. Simulation results indicate that the proposed protocol markedly improves the balance of energy consumption among nodes and enhances network surveillance capabilities when compared to existing clustering routing protocols. c 2024 8 15 10.10.  
a stable and controllable energy source without the need for complex energy collection devices such as solar cells or wind turbines [6]. SWIPT is an innovative solution for addressing the issue of energy holes in multi-hop networks, allowing for the simultaneous transmission of signals and energy [7], i.e., supplying power to wireless devices while interacting with them. Due to their advantages in energy and spectral efficiency, EH-CRSN nodes can be deployed on industrial equipment in place of traditional WSNs nodes to collect and upload various environmental information, thereby further advancing industrial automation and intelligence. Conventional clustering protocols for CRSNs are typically divided into two types: uniform clustering protocols, where CHs closer to the sink deplete energy quickly, leading to potential energy holes or network fragmentation [8; 9], and uneven clustering protocols that compute cluster radii under a predetermined uneven clustering coefficient using a linear expression of the CHs' Euclidean distance to the sink to further equilibrate network energy consumption [10]. They do not account for the variations in node energy due to SWIPT and EH when selecting CHs or relay nodes, failing to fully leverage the performance benefits of SWIPT and EH in CRSNs. Clustering protocols that include SWIPT or EH are mostly tailored for WSNs, leaving dynamic channel availability out of consideration. Therefore, there is a critical need for clustering protocols in EH-CRSNs that employ SWIPT technology to coordinate node operations and extend network lifespan. This paper presents a CRSNs multi-hop uneven clustering routing protocol based on downlink RF EH, intra-cluster and inter-cluster SWIPT technologies. The protocol permits CRSN nodes to accumulate energy from the sink or PUs through RF EH and to replenish the energy of nodes in critical positions through intra-cluster and inter-cluster SWIPT mechanisms, thus equalizing energy expenditure within and between clusters and extending the number of rounds during which the network maintains effective monitoring capabilities. The innovations of this paper are summarized as follows:  
1. Taking into account the dynamic changes in the residual energy of CRSN nodes caused by energy collection from PUs occupying channels or the sink, an EH-based energy state function is proposed, along with the selection criteria for CHs and relay nodes.