This paper proposes a charging-aware multi-mode routing protocol (CMRP) to collect data in the wireless rechargeable sensor networks. The routing mechanism in CMRP is not steady but changes according to the energy charging status of sensors. Sensors that cannot replenish their energy efficiency use the routing protocol with less energy consumption. On the contrary, sensors that can replenish their energy use the low propagation delay routing protocol. A novel heuristic chaining mechanism based on multi-level convex hull circle (MCC) is also proposed. Simulation results show that CMRP not only has longer operation time than LEACH and PEGASIS but also has the shortest propagation delay time. The lifetime of CMRP is less than the minimum spanning tree by about 1%, but the propagation delay is shorter than MSTP about 21-28%. In addition, CMRP considers both reducing energy consumption and shortening the propagation delay at the same time. The life-delay rate of the CMRP is close to the optimal results.
Keywords: charging-aware multi-mode; data gathering; life-delay ratio; multi-level convex hull circle; wireless rechargeable sensor networks.