A reliable data aggregation mechanism with fully homomorphic encryption in smart grid AMI networks

Abstract

One of the most common methods to preserve consumers’ private data is using secure in-network data aggregation. The security can be provided through the emerging fully (FHE) or partial (PHE) homomorphic encryption techniques. However, an FHE aggregation scheme generates significantly big-size data when compared to traditional encryption methods. The overhead is compounded in hierarchical networks such as Smart Grid Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) as data packets are routed towards the core of the AMI networking infrastructure from the smart meters. In this paper, we first investigate the feasibility and performance of FHE aggregation in AMI networks utilizing the reliable data transport protocol, TCP. Then, we introduce the packet reassembly problem. To address this challenge, we propose a novel packet reassembly mechanism for TCP. We evaluated the effectiveness of our proposed mechanism using both PHE and FHE-based aggregation approaches in AMI in terms throughput and end-to-end delay on an 802.11s-based wireless mesh network by using the ns-3 network simulator. The results indicate significant gains in terms of delay and bandwidth usage with the proposed mechanism.