Paper Details

Name: Surender Singh, Amanpreet Kaur & Kiranjeet Kaur
Country: India

Year: 2026
Volume: Volume No: 13, January, Year: 2026 (Special Issue)
Page Number: 851-858
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19143831

ABSTRACT:
Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) are essential for healthcare applications because they allow for continuous monitoring by means of sensor nodes that gather vital patient physiological data. Since these nodes run on small batteries, energy efficiency is crucial to preserving the longevity of the network and the dependability of communication. In order to improve energy efficiency in WBANs, this study presents a hybrid routing protocol that incorporates Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approaches for optimal relay node selection. The suggested strategy lowers power consumption while preserving reliable communication links by combining proactive and reactive routing techniques. Relay node candidates are evaluated using MCDM techniques including the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and VIKOR. These tools take into account variables like power
consumption, connection stability, communication delay, and residual energy. The best relay node that satisfies energy and performance requirements is dynamically selected by the protocol. According to simulation results, this hybrid protocol significantly outperforms traditional techniques such as LEACH and AODV in terms of transmission reliability, network lifetime, and power conservation. The protocol guarantees informed and balanced decision-making by integrating MCDM techniques, which enhances network functionality and energy management. This study highlights the potential of MCDM to improve performance in healthcare settings with limited resources by offering a novel method for energy-aware routing in WBANs.