Route optimasation based on multidimensional trust evaluation model in mobile ad hoc networks

With the increased numbers of mobile devices working in an ad hoc manner, there are many problems in secure routing protocols. Finding a path between source and destination faces more challenges in Mobile ad hoc network (MANET) environment because of the node movement and frequent topology changes, besides, the dependence on the intermediate nodes to relay packets. Therefore, trust technique is utilised in such environment to secure routing and stimulate nodes to cooperate in packet forwarding process. In this paper, an investigation of the use of trust to choose the optimised path between two nodes is provided. It comes up with a proposal to select the most reliable path based on multidimensional trust evaluation technique to include number of hubs, trust opinion, confidence in providing trust, and energy level of nodes on the path. The model overcomes the limitation of considering only trustworthiness of the nodes on the path and uses a route optimisation approach to select the path between source and destination. The empirical analysis shows robustness and accuracy of the trust model in a dynamic MANET environment.