Efficient Source Authentication for Multicasting in MANETs

In this paper, we investigate a popular source authentication scheme, TESLA (Timed Efficient Stream Loss-tolerant Authentication) for multicast communication in mobile ad hoc networks. We evaluate the performance of a source authentication scheme inspired from TESLA and mu-TESLA based on simulations. Time synchronization is a crucial assumption made by these schemes. We describe effective means to achieve time synchronization in MANETs and conclude that overlay networks, whether they are UAVs or satellites are essential for high efficiency and performance. Since such overlay networks are typical in hierarchical wireless mobile networks, the proposed schemes are very appropriate for these scenarios. We claim that having an overlay network will help in routing and key distribution, in addition to time synchronization.