article · IEEE Access
Military reconnaissance frequently relies on unmanned aerial vehicles operating in unpredictable and hostile environments, creating a need for secure and reliable image transmission over wireless ad-hoc networks. A two-layer encryption cryptosystem and transmission protocol has been developed to protect sensitive reconnaissance imagery across multi-hop relay networks mounted on moving drones. The initial encryption layer uses a Genetic Algorithm driven by a Mersenne Twister key, while the second layer applies DNA coding that also uses a Mersenne Twister key. Following encryption, images are converted into a bit-stream and protected using either convolutional or low-density parity-check channel coding to suit varying network demands. The data is then transmitted using binary phase-shift keying modulation. Performance evaluations using bit error rate curves and encryption metrics show that the method provides robust, reliable, and secure data transmission suitable for mission-critical operations.
Unmanned aerial vehicles operating in defence contexts must transmit high-value surveillance photographs through unpredictable wireless environments. Weak encryption or faulty transmissions can compromise operations or reveal critical intelligence to adversaries. Combining multi-layered mathematical encryption with adaptable error-correcting codes helps maintain data confidentiality and clarity across volatile aerial networks.
The technology is aimed at military communication systems and defence technology developers requiring secure imagery transfer across drone ad-hoc networks. Evaluated via encryption metrics and bit error rate performance curves, the research appears to be applied and tested at an experimental or simulation stage rather than a deployed defence product.
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This article presents a novel 2-layer image encryption cryptosystem and transmission protocol designed for secure communication of military reconnaissance images over unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-assisted relaying networks. The proposed scheme aims to address the growing need for robust, secure, and efficient transmission of sensitive imagery data across wireless ad-hoc networks, often characterized by unpredictable and hostile environments. The first layer of the proposed cryptosystem employs a Genetic Algorithm (GA) utilizing a Mersenne Twister (MT) key, providing a robust framework for initial image encryption. The second layer further leverages security by employing DNA coding, that is also driven by a MT key. The encrypted images are subsequently transformed into a one-dimensional bit-stream, ready for transmission. The bit-stream is then channel coded using either a convolutional code or a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code, offering flexibility based on the specific network conditions and requirements. The coded data is then BPSK-modulated and transmitted over a multi-hop wireless relay network, with relays mounted on freely-moving UAVs. This scheme optimizes for both security and transmission efficiency, critical for the time-sensitive and mission-critical nature of military operations. Extensive performance evaluation is carried out, presenting bit error rate (BER) curves and various image encryption metrics, demonstrating the robustness, reliability, and security of the proposed scheme. This contribution is expected to significantly enhance the secure communication of military reconnaissance images, paving the way for more advanced, secure, and efficient communication systems in the military sector.
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DOI: 10.1109/access.2024.3407838
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