###### Abstract  
This study proposes a novel power-efficient and anti-fading clustering based on a cross-layer that is specific to the time-varying fading characteristics of channels in the monitoring of coal mine faces with wireless sensor networks. The number of active sensor nodes and a sliding window are set up such that the optimal number of cluster heads (CHs) is selected in each round. Based on a stable expected number of CHs, we explore the channel efficiency between nodes and the base station by using a probe frame and the joint surplus energy in assessing the CH selection. Moreover, the sending power of a node in different periods is regulated by the signal fade margin method. The simulation results demonstrate that compared with several common algorithms, the power-efficient and fading-aware clustering with a cross-layer (PEAFC-CL) protocol features a stable network topology and adaptability under signal time-varying fading, which effectively prolongs the lifetime of the network and reduces network packet loss, thus making it more applicable to the complex and variable environment characteristic of a coal mine face. W 20161683390/s1606083510/3390/s1606083510/3390/s1606083510/3390/s1606083510  
developed from wire communication to wireless communication, and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been widely used as applied networks in many industries [11; 12]. Unlike other aboveground application scenarios, the coal mine face is a unique area with complex and variable environmental characteristics. The face is crowded with mining equipment and relevant electrical equipment; it has a high temperature, moist air and large amounts of dust; and is a place with a high risk of coal disasters and unsuitable for working staff. The development of coal mine face monitoring with WSNs (CMFM-WSN) offers technical support for the detection and control of a coal mine face. The wireless communication systems used on the surface cannot be directly applied in underground mines due to the high attenuation of radio waves in underground strata, in addition to the presence of inflammable gases and a hazardous environment. Various factors, such as the non-symmetric mine topology, uneven mine structure, complex geological structures, and extensive labyrinths, further hinder communication and may have certain influences on wireless signal fading [13]. As a network with low power consumption and limited energy, WSNs feature self-organization and a certain amount of invulnerability, thus, a stable and reliable CMFM-WSN protocol applicable to changing environments is the research emphasis of WSN applications for underground coal mine faces. Considering that the fluctuations in underground WSN signal fading have a significant influence on network data transmission, a clustering network transmission protocol applicable to signal fading is studied to improve the performance of network data transmission and ensure that the demands for safe underground production are met. Clustering protocol are the most widely applied at present, thanks to their strong adaptability and self-organization management. References [14; 15] summarize the cluster routing protocol of WSNs. The most typical clustering algorithm, LEACH [16], is a clustering control algorithm that was proposed early on and has been applied in WSN topology, including relevant improved LEACH protocols, such as ALEACH [17], LEACH-VH [18], W-LEACH [19] and ANCH [20]. In a clustering algorithm, researchers mainly emphasize clustering rules and routing protocols under a clustering topology. The clustering algorithm mainly considers a cluster head (CH) selection strategy and clustering rules, whereas in the CH selection and clustering process, researchers typically regard certain parameters as the basis for selecting a CH, such as the node residual energy, distance from the node to the aggregation node and neighbor node degree, to form clusters with different dimensions and degrees of uniformity, e.g., uniform clustering (PEGASIS [12]) and non-uniform clustering (EC [21]).