Multi-point collaborative mobile replica node detection protocol based on key negotiation

Replica node attacks, a common issue in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), can cause major damage. Most traditional replica node detection protocols are designed for static WSNs and are limited by easy information leakage, high storage and communication overhead, and a short network lifetime. Therefore, this study proposes a multi-point collaborative mobile replica node detection protocol based on key negotiation, referred to as KN-MCDP. The KN-MCDP scheme is designed for use in mobile wireless sensor networks (MWSNs) where a limited number of mobile nodes are deployed in static WSNs. The protocol can not only identify replica nodes in static WSNs but also determine whether a mobile node is a replica, thereby providing enhanced network protection. When cluster head nodes and mobile nodes communicate, they encrypt the exchanged information using digital signature technology, ternary symmetric polynomial technology, and symmetric encryption technology, thus preventing information leakage collected by cluster head nodes. Collecting network information using Bloom filters on cluster head nodes and mobile nodes reduces network storage and communication overhead. In different phases, the protocol employs cluster head nodes, mobile nodes, and the base station to identify and isolate replica nodes. This approach balances the energy overhead of the network and extends its lifetime. The experimental results demonstrate that the KN-MCDP protocol can achieve a high detection rate, reduce the network’s storage and communication overhead, balance energy overhead, and extend the network lifetime.