Humans have explored more of the space above the earth’s atmosphere than our own oceans. Both these frontiers present unique challenges, and one of the main challenges underwater is effective communication. Because, unlike outer space, radiowaves do not travel very far in the ocean. Instead, we use sound waves, similar to how whales communicate underwater, to send information between devices. However, using sound comes with its own set of challenges, including problems like slow data speeds, low bandwidth, and high error rates due to missing bits of information. These issues also make underwater communication ideal for malicious attacks.
To overcome these issues, scientists from Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Muscat, Oman have come up with a solution. They have come up with a duo of a new routing algorithm and an encryption scheme that has proven more efficient at sending and receiving messages underwater.
Underwater communication uses Underwater Sensor Networks (UWSN). These networks consist of sensors called nodes and underwater vehicles that can gather and send information from beneath the sea to a vessel on the surface. The nodes sending and receiving messages use a routing algorithm to find the target node and send a message. These devices can help monitor pollution, study marine life, warn about natural disasters like tsunamis, and even bolster military defences. However, these devices and the routing algorithms used are also susceptible to hackers, inefficient at communicating (High error-rates) and use a lot of energy to function.
In their new study, the researchers have developed Multipath Malicious Avoidance Routing Protocol (M2ARP), and FM-PRFES - Foldable Matrix-based Padding Rail Fence Encryption Scheme, two innovative methods designed to enhance the efficiency and security of communications in underwater sensor networks (UWSNs).
M2ARP is a routing protocol specifically designed for underwater environments to improve the reliability and security of data transmission. Unlike traditional routing that follows a single path, M2ARP uses multiple paths to send data across the network. This approach is similar to having several detour routes in case the main road is blocked. It actively identifies and avoids routes that may pass through nodes suspected of being compromised by malicious attackers. This ensures that the data can bypass potentially dangerous areas. By diversifying the paths and avoiding unreliable nodes, M2ARP increases the chances that data will reach its destination without being intercepted or tampered with.
FM-PRFES is an encryption scheme designed to secure the data being transmitted in UWSNs, protecting it from unauthorized access or alterations. The method encrypts data using a foldable matrix-based approach coupled with the rail fence cipher technique, which scrambles the data to protect its contents. FM-PRFES is designed to be lightweight enough that it doesn't drain the devices' batteries too quickly, which is vital for underwater sensors that need to function autonomously for long periods. The encryption scheme ensures that only the intended recipients can decrypt and read the data, thus maintaining confidentiality and integrity.
M2ARP and FM-PRFES work together to create an underwater communication system that is both efficient—thanks to their energy-saving designs—and secure, capable of maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of data even in the vast and unpredictable underwater environment. With secure, multipath routing and efficient encryption, data collected by sensors can be transmitted safely back to the researchers or to a central hub without fear of tampering or loss. This can enhance our ability to monitor oceanic changes in real time, helping scientists and governments make timely and informed decisions.
This research news was partly generated using artificial intelligence and edited by an editor at Research Matters