A Cluster-Based Trust Model for Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Mobile ad hoc network is a self-organized network made up of mobile devices. It is also often termed an infrastructure-less, spontaneous and dynamic network. Due to the temporary cooperation among nodes, and no enough knowledge between each node in advance, it is difficult to establish trust in ad hoc network. In this paper, a novel cluster-based trust model for ad hoc networks was presented and an inter-cluster recommendation trust concept was introduced. In our model, a network is divided into clusters with one special node each. It establishes trust relationship for internal clusters dynamically based on previous transactions result. From the experiment results, we can see that the model is dynamic and efficient enough to be applicable to in ad hoc networks. Uncertainty problem with nodes coming and going in spontaneous ad hoc environments can be solved well with this model.