Analysis of Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy LEACH protocol

Abstract

The study and implementation of wireless sensor networks is an emerging field in computer science, with applications in fields from environmental monitoring to national defense. These networks consist of individual sensor nodes which typically collect and transmit data to a central server. Due to the distributed nature of these networks, energy consumption is one of the primary determinants in network efficiency. Algorithms that optimize this factor are an area of intensive research and the subject of this project. The goal of this project is to evaluate one such algorithm using the open source network simulator ns2. LEACH, or Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy, consists of a percentage of randomly chosen nodes to act as cluster heads. Once the cluster heads have been determined, they broadcast a signal notifying other nodes within range. The nodes can then calculate their optimal cluster head. These heads act as a middle layer between individual nodes and the server, relaying data and optimizing packet size. By definition, the LEACH model ensures that only two hops separate the node from the database. A network consisting of 100 randomly deployed nodes implementing the LEACH model will be used to test programs for node management. The simulation data obtained by implementing these algorithms using ns2 will depict which is the most efficient in terms of energy consumption. These data will give researchers a better understanding of which models produce particular results, thus facilitating the goal of this project.