Secure MANET routing with blockchain-enhanced latent encoder coupled GANs and BEPO optimization

Abstract

ABSTRACT Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) facilitate rapid deployment due to independence from established infrastructure, relying instead on wireless technology where each node functions as a source, destination, or intermediary router. However, existing techniques fail to adequately address security and privacy concerns inherent in MANETs, rendering them impractical for real-world deployment. To tackle these challenges, this paper proposes the Blockchain Based Trusted Distributed Routing Scheme for MANET using Latent Encoder Coupled Generative Adversarial Network Optimized with Binary Emperor Penguin Optimizer (LEGAN-BEPO-BCMANET). This scheme leverages blockchain technology to establish a fair proof-of-reputation system, ensuring trusted and decentralized routing based on authenticated blockchain token transactions. By integrating Latent Encoder Coupled Generative Adversarial Network (LEGAN) optimized with Binary Emperor Penguin optimizer (BEPO), the scheme enhances routing efficiency and security. A comprehensive security analysis is performed focusing on aspects such as double-spending prevention, transaction distinguishability, routing information integrity, and self-modification resilience. The proposed approach is implemented in NS3 software, with evaluation metrics including throughput of blockchain token transactions and average energy consumption recorded. Overall, the LEGAN-BEPO-BCMANET scheme offers a robust solution to the security and efficiency challenges faced by MANETs, paving the way for practical deployment in real-world scenarios. The performance of the proposed LEGAN-BEPO-BCMANET technique attains 29.786%, 19.25%, 22.93%, 27.21%, 31.02%, 26.91%, and 25.61% greater throughput, compared to existing methods like Blockchain-based BATMAN protocol utilizing MANET with an ensemble algorithm (BATMAN-MANET), Block chain-based trusted distributed routing scheme with optimized dropout ensemble extreme learning neural network in MANET (DEELNN-MANET), A secured trusted routing utilizing structure of a new directed acyclic graph-blockchain in MANET internet of things environment (DAG-MANET), An Optimized Link State Routing Protocol with Blockchain Framework for Efficient Video-Packet Transmission and Security over MANET (OLSRP-MANET), Auto-metric Graph Neural Network based Blockchain Technology for Protected Dynamic Optimum Routing in MANET (AGNN-MANET) and Data security-based routing in MANETs under key management process (DSR-MANET) respectively.