A novel energy efficient QoS secure routing algorithm for WSNs.

Quality of Service (QoS) routing protocol is a hot topic in the research field of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, the task of identifying an optimal path that simultaneously meets multiple QoS constraints is acknowledged as an NP-hard problem, with its complexity intensifying in proportion to the network's nodal count. Therefore, a novel heuristic multi-objective trust routing method, the Levy Chaos Adaptive Snake Optimization-based Multi-Trust Routing Method (LCASO-MTRM), is proposed, aiming to enhance link bandwidth while simultaneously reducing latency, packet loss, and energy consumption. The proposed method incorporates innovative chaos and adaptive operators within the LCASO framework. The chaos operator enhances population diversity, expands the solution space, and accelerates the search process. Meanwhile, the adaptive operator improves convergence, enhances robustness, and effectively prevents stagnation. Additionally, this paper introduces a novel multi-objective QoS routing model that integrates a link trust mechanism, allowing for a more accurate assessment of link trust levels and a precise reflection of the current link status. The effectiveness of LCASO-MTRM is demonstrated through simulation comparisons with the Improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO), Improved Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm (IABC), and Cloned Whale Optimization Algorithm (CWOA). Simulation results demonstrate that LCASO-MTRM significantly reduces energy consumption by 49.53%, latency by 22.56%, and packet loss by 40.21%, while increasing bandwidth by 6.13%, outperforming the other algorithms.