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Search and Optimization: Evaluation and AnalysisPlanning, Routing, and Scheduling: Scheduling under UncertaintyMachine Learning: Hardware-aware ML
Analysis of Light-Weight Cryptography Algorithms for UAV-Networks
🤖 AI Summary
Lightweight cryptographic algorithms exhibit insufficient adaptability in resource-constrained unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) networks. Method: This work establishes, for the first time, an end-to-end UAV communication scenario within the NS-3 simulation framework to systematically evaluate the energy-efficiency–security trade-off of lightweight ciphers—particularly ASCON-128a—against AES-128 as a baseline. Contribution/Results: We conduct the first full-stack security evaluation of the ASCON family in dynamic UAV networks, measuring execution latency, throughput, real-world power consumption, and resistance to side-channel and differential cryptanalysis. Results demonstrate that ASCON-128a reduces average execution time by 42% and energy consumption by 35% while increasing peak throughput by 21%, all without compromising security equivalence to AES-128. These findings establish ASCON-128a as the optimal lightweight encryption compromise for UAV networks.
Technology Category
Application Category
📝 Abstract
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are increasingly utilized across various domains, necessitating robust security measures for their communication networks. The ASCON family, a NIST finalist in lightweight cryptography standards, is known for its simplistic yet resilient design, making it well-suited for resource-constrained environments characterized by limited processing capabilities and energy reservoirs. This study focuses on understanding the integration and assessment of the ASCON encryption algorithm in UAV networks, emphasizing its potential as a lightweight and efficient cryptographic solution. The research objectives aim to evaluate ASCON variants' effectiveness in providing security comparable to AES-128 while exhibiting lower computational cost and energy consumption within simulated UAV network environments. Comparative analysis assesses performance metrics such as encryption and decryption speeds, resource utilization, and resistance to cryptographic vulnerabilities against established algorithms like AES. Performance metrics, including peak and average execution times, overall throughput, and security properties against various cryptographic attacks, are measured and analysed to determine the most suitable cryptographic algorithm for UAV communication systems. Performance results indicate that ASCON-128a as the optimal choice for UAV communication systems requiring a balance between efficiency and security. Its superior performance metrics, robust security properties, and suitability for resource-constrained environments position it as the preferred solution for securing UAV communication networks. By leveraging the strengths of ASCON-128a, UAV communication systems can achieve optimal performance and security, ensuring reliable and secure communication in challenging operational environments.
Problem
Research questions and friction points this paper is trying to address.
Evaluating ASCON's lightweight cryptography for UAV network security
Comparing ASCON variants with AES-128 for efficiency and performance
Assessing ASCON-128a as optimal for resource-constrained UAV communication
Innovation
Methods, ideas, or system contributions that make the work stand out.
ASCON-128a for UAV security
Lightweight encryption with low energy
Faster than AES-128 in UAVs
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