Key establishment and authentication mechanism for secure sensor networks

Abstract

For secure sensor network communication, we propose a key establishment mechanism applying polynomial-based key predistribution scheme under the clustered sensor network architecture, and propose authentication mechanism, Every pair of neighboring nodes can calculate its own pairwise key using polynomial shares predistributed. Gateway nodes interconnecting the clusters play the role of stepping stones. For hop-by-hop authentication, every node adds MAC computed using pair-wise key between its upstream node and itself. Broadcast authentication can be achieved using one-time digital signature. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.