Data Communication Security for FANETs Using Ascon Lightweight Cryptography

Flying Ad-hoc Network (FANET) is a wireless network designed for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). FANET allows many UAVs to connect and exchange data with each other and with ground devices without the need for a fixed network infrastructure. However, data exchange between UAVs in a FANET faces many security risks. This paper proposes a data communication security solution using the lightweight cryptographic standard Ascon designed for resource-constrained devices such as UAVs. The solution is implemented on the STM32WL55JC development kit with an integrated LoRa module, and its performance is evaluated in terms of code size, stack usage, throughput, and power consumption. Experimental results show that this solution protects UAVs against common communication attacks while consuming few resources. With input data ranging from 8 to 245 bytes, Ascon outperforms AES in terms of efficiency. It reduces energy consumption by nearly 50% compared to traditional AES, enabling UAVs to operate more efficiently, extend flight time, and enhance overall system performance in resource-constrained environments.