Efficient Scheduling Strategies: A Comparative Study of LEACH and REACT-LEACH Clustering Mechanisms

The scheduling mechanism in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) focuses on the enhancement of energy efficiency by organizing actions like cluster management, data aggregation, and communication. Amongst the powerful algorithms proposed for WSNs, LEACH and its variants are more popular. This paper focuses on the performance of Low Energy-Aware Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) and one of its variants, REACT-LEACH. The primary divergence between LEACH and the Residual Energy-Aware Clustering Transformation protocol for LEACH (REACT-LEACH) lies in their CH selection and rotation mechanisms. While both protocols optimize energy consumption and task distribution among nodes, the real-time scheduler synchronizes the simulation clock with external real-time, enabling accurate evaluation of WSN behavior. The significance of scheduling mechanisms in WSNs portrays the comparative advantages of LEACH and REACT-LEACH, emphasizing their adaptability and energy-efficiency features.