WSN Message Authentication Code Based on Chaos and XOR-Encryption

Abstract

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is a kind of energy-constrained network. If any fake communication request is not recognized, that will lead to network security problems and additional energy consumption of the nodes. A good message authentication code (MAC) will help to solve this problem effectively. In this paper, we improve the MAC algorithm by using the technology of chaos and XOR-encryption. The advanced MAC generator can be divided into the sub-key generator and the MAC structure. The advanced MAC algorithm provides not only high data confidentiality but also message authentication functions. The sub-key generator provides excellent random performance and solves the periodicity defects of RC4. That extends the lifetime of "Seed-Key" and to further reduce the energy consumption. The structure is designed for the advanced MAC specially to meet the needs of WSN applications. It can avoid "Replay Attack" effectively when compared with CBC-MAC. The improved MAC algorithm provides simpler calculation and sufficiently reliable security performance. We have also tested the advanced MAC generator by using "Pearson's Chi-squared goodness-of-fit test". The test results reveal that the MAC sequences generated by the advanced MAC can provide enough security performance.

Keywords

• WSN
• Message authentication code (MAC)
• Chaos
• XOR-encryption
• Chi-squared goodness-of-fit test.