Abstract : Wireless sensor networks are increasingly used in underground coal mines. This paper classifies routing protocols into four types based on different data acquisition methods in underground coal mines: query-based routing protocols, cluster-based routing protocols, location-based routing protocols, and reliable routing protocols. The paper introduces each of these routing protocols and lists their advantages and disadvantages. To improve the level of data acquisition in underground coal mines, an energy-based multipath routing protocol is designed. This protocol can save energy consumption and improve the reliability of the coal mine system. Keywords : Wireless sensor network; Routing protocol; Data acquisition; Multipath routing protocol 1. Introduction Wireless sensor networks are considered one of the most important technologies of the 21st century. Wireless sensor networks consist of sensor technology, embedded computing, distributed information systems, and wireless communication technology. They can monitor and acquire information within the coverage area of ​​the wireless sensor network in real time, process this information, and send the processing results to the client. The application prospects of wireless sensor networks are broad. For example, wireless sensor networks can be applied in military, commercial, and other fields. The application of wireless sensor networks in underground coal mines is one of the most important research areas in the world today. It is essential to constantly acquire underground information, such as wind speed, the concentration of different gases, and underground temperature. Currently, the most common way for underground coal miners to obtain information is through wired communication networks, which brings many problems. Due to the confined environment of underground coal mines, the maintenance of communication lines becomes increasingly difficult. If a communication line fails, the entire monitoring system may collapse. In short, many network technologies widely used on the surface cannot be used underground in coal mines, but the invention of wireless sensor networks offers a new method to address these problems. Routing protocols are the most important component of wireless sensor networks. Routing protocols must monitor changes in the network topology in real time to adjust routing information, determine destination nodes, modify routing tables, and send information through the routing tables. This paper analyzes and studies wireless sensor network routing protocols and designs a new routing protocol based on coal mine data acquisition. [Full text of the research and design of routing protocols for wireless sensor networks in underground coal mines is available for download.]