Statistics-based Jamming Detection Algorithm for Jamming Attacks Against Tactical MANETs

In this paper, we propose a detection approach for reactive jamming attacks in the tactical wireless ad hoc networks. A significant weakness for all wireless communication systems is a vulnerability to jamming attacks. In the worst case scenario, jammers possess the potential to completely block data transmissions in the wireless network. Since tactical networks are typically utilized in crisis-management and battlefield operations, reliable and secure communications are a critical factor for mission success. Thus, jamming attacks must be detected and mitigated immediately by the wireless network. New approaches for the detection and mitigation of jamming attacks are required, especially for tactical networks based on mobile ad hoc technology where centralized detection algorithms are unusable. We present a novel mechanism to detect jamming in tactical ad hoc networks, which is based on the required number of re-transmission attempts of transmitted packets and packet delivery rate of received packets. Our proposed approach employs several network performance parameters, which differentiates our approach from most existing detection algorithms, since only a single parameter is commonly used as a detection decision. The simulation model of proposed detection algorithm is implemented in ns-3 network simulator.