V1I9P11

Secure and Scalable Wireless Communication Protocols for Drone-to-Drone Networks

Chijioke C Ekechi^1*

Abstract

Drone-to-drone (D2D) communication has become increasingly vital in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) networks, especially for applications requiring autonomous coordination, such as disaster response, surveillance, and logistics. However, the dynamic and decentralized nature of UAV swarms presents serious challenges in ensuring both secure and scalable communication. This study aimed to design and evaluate a secure and scalable wireless communication protocol tailored for D2D interactions within UAV networks. A layered protocol architecture was developed, incorporating lightweight authentication mechanisms, AES-based encryption, adaptive routing algorithms, and cluster-based scalability techniques. The protocol was implemented and tested using NS-3, a discrete-event network simulator suited for modeling mobile ad hoc networks and aerial communication behavior. Performance was evaluated based on latency, throughput, packet loss, scalability ratio, and security breach rate. Simulation results demonstrated that the proposed protocol significantly reduced latency and packet loss while achieving higher throughput and better scalability compared to baseline protocols like AODV. It also showed a substantial decrease in successful cyber-attacks, highlighting the effectiveness of the integrated security mechanisms. Overall, the proposed protocol offers a balanced solution to the dual challenges of security and scalability in UAV networks. Its efficiency and robustness make it suitable for real-world mission-critical deployments where infrastructure is limited or compromised.

Keywords:

UAV communication, drone-to-drone networks, secure routing, scalable protocols, wireless security, swarm coordination