Patent ID: 7486795
Filing Date: 2009-02-03
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of key-management in Distributed Sensor Networks, comprising the steps of: prior to deployment of a plurality of sensor nodes of the Distributed Sensor Network, storing a respective key ring including a plurality of individually selectable private keys in each sensor node of the Distributed Sensor Network, said private keys being randomly chosen from a common pool, said key rings of at least a pair of said sensor nodes having a pre-defined probability of having at least one private key in common; wherein the step of storing a respective key ring further includes the steps of: generating a key space having a multiplicity of keys, randomly selecting a pool of keys from said key space, assigning a specific key identifier for each key in said pool of keys, randomly selecting a number of the keys from said pool of keys to form said respective key ring for each sensor node, said number of keys being probabilistically determined to provide said pre-defined probability of said pair of sensor nodes having at least one shared private key, and storing said specific key identifier with said respective key ring in each said sensor node; deploying said plurality of the sensor nodes of the Distributed Sensor Network; actuating at least one sensor node to discover at least another sensor node sharing said at least one private key to establish a secure communication link between said one sensor node and another of said sensor nodes; and using said at least one shared private key for subsequent secure communication between said at least one sensor node and said other sensor node.