Step1: each node x(x ∈ V″) broadcasts an indicator message to N(x)

Step2: each node x (x ∈ {S−V′−V″} receives no indicator message after a predefined time period, x broadcasts an indicator message to N(x)

Step3: node y(y ∈ {S−V′−V″}) joins the virtual cluster of x(VCx):

3-1: if y receives only one indicator message from x

3-2: if y receives more than two indicator messages from N(y), then it joins VCx if dxy = min{dxy|x ∈ N(y)}

Step4: if node y decides to join VCx it sends a join message to node x

Step5: if node x receives a join message, it sends back an acknowledge message to y. Hence x is the virtual cluster head (vch) of VCx and y is a member of VCx.