Cluster Heads

Definition ∞ Cluster heads are specific nodes within a distributed network that serve as aggregation points for data collected from other nodes in their designated cluster. They manage communication, process local data, and transmit condensed information to a central base station or other cluster heads. This hierarchical structure optimizes energy use and scalability in large sensor networks. They play a pivotal role in data routing and network efficiency.
Context ∞ While not directly a cryptocurrency term, the concept of cluster heads relates to efficient data management in distributed systems, which underpins blockchain scalability discussions. In advanced blockchain architectures or related decentralized computing paradigms, efficient data handling is crucial. Optimizing network communication through such structures could influence future protocol designs. News in distributed computing might touch upon these architectural optimizations.