Abstract: The low energy adaptive clustering hierarchy (LEACH) protocol is an early wireless sensor network protocol. In this paper, simulation of wireless sensor networks using LEACH is given based on the sensor network simulator developed in the authors’ laboratory. The simulation focuses on the MAC layer and network layer while considering the actual hardware parameters. Performance of the cluster head election algorithm is analyzed in theory in terms of the statistic data obtained from the simulation. The advantages and disadvantages of the algorithm are presented along with an improvement mechanism.

Key words: wireless sensor network, LEACH protocol, cluster head election algorithm