Deterministic key pre-distribution schemes for mobile ad-hoc networks based on set systems with limited intersection sizes

Abstract

One of the major issues involved in mobile ad-hoc network security is that of key management. Key management refers to the creation, distribution and revocation of keys amongst the network. A solution to these issues is given by key pre-distribution schemes according to which each node is initially given a set of keys from which keys can be chosen to be used for their communication needs. In this paper we first give a formal definition of what constitutes a desirable set system design for key pre-distribution and propose a deterministic key pre-distribution scheme based on set systems whose members have intersection sizes that fall within a limited, predetermined range. The resulting key sets are theoretically shown to possess many of the properties of desirable set system design