Firefly inspired robust cooperative and secure QoS provisioning framework for vehicular networks in multi-service environment

Abstract

In this research paper, a framework has been proposed to guarantee Quality-of-Service for vehicular networks, considering an environment where many types of services are simultaneously offered to the users. This proposed framework needs to be robust, cooperative and secure in nature. For having such characteristics in a solution, three modules have been proposed and amalgamated. First module takes care of Quality-of-Services assurance using a multi-constraint Quality-of-Service aware routing algorithm. This routing algorithm involves an innovative use of link-robustness parameter in an improved Firefly algorithm. Second module stimulates cooperation among vehicles using an incentive scheme evolved with the help of game-theoretic concepts like Core and Grand Coalition. It encourages vehicles to participate in network related activities and to obey network protocols. Third and the last module ensures the security of the presented framework by applying an authentication model. Integrated together as a framework, these modules orchestrate a unique and unified solution, probably first of its kind, that guarantees Quality-of-Service and at the same time, stimulates cooperation among vehicles and strengthens the robustness of a relatively secure vehicular network. Results suggest that the Quality-of-Service could be reasonably assured by the proposed framework for different traffic types such as multimedia, voice and background data.