Secure Localization Using Elliptic Curve Cryptography in Wireless Sensor Networks

Summary The crucial problem in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is position estimation or Localization, due to their dynamic method of deployment. There are several methods in determining their physical locations but the greatest challenge imposed is in communicating with their authenticated neighbors, their precise location in a secured manner. The mutual authentication between sensor nodes is of vital importance i.e. node should only accept and forward their own precise location messages from authenticated neighbors. The objective of this paper is to solve this problem of insecurity in sensor networks. Against the popular belief that public key cryptographic schemes are not practical for sensors, an authentication technique which makes use of Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) along with the TOA positioning scheme is implemented. ECC has got excellent enhanced features which include smaller key size, lesser bandwidth, higher computational capability and lesser hardware. This new technique is compared for its performance with RivestShamir-Adelman (RSA) and Mean Power with Rivest-ShamirAdelman (MPRSA). The simulation results clearly indicate that ECC is well suited for secure localization in sensor networks as it satisfies the constraints of the sensor networks which include minimum bandwidth, power, energy and computational speed.