Energy-aware and trust-based secure routing in manets using swarm intelligence techniques

Abstract

The rapid evolution of wireless communication technologies has intensified the demand for efficient and sustainable network architectures, particularly in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs). This study proposes an integrated framework designed to enhance MANET network lifetime through a structured workflow that combines energy awareness, trust management, and swarm intelligence-based optimization. The proposed workflow consists of four sequential and interdependent modules: Communication Behavioral Impact Rate (CBIR), Energy Aware Macro Channel Selection (EAMCS), Optimal Swarm Intelligence-Based Route Selection (OSIBRS), and Cross-Mutation Self-Scheduling Routing Protocol (CMSSRP). The workflow begins with the CBIR module, which analyzes communication behavior, traffic frequency, and node interactions to generate behavioral insights. These insights are then supplied to EAMCS, which utilizes them to perform intelligent macro-channel allocation based on energy consumption models, ensuring optimal energy utilization across the network. The optimized channel assignments from EAMCS serve as input for OSIBRS, which employs swarm intelligence algorithms to identify the most reliable and energy-efficient routing paths under dynamic network conditions. Finally, CMSSRP refines the routing process through a distributed self-scheduling mechanism that dynamically regulates transmission timing, mitigates congestion, conserves energy, and reinforces trust-based communication by prioritizing reliable nodes. This coordinated workflow establishes a closed-loop system where behavioral data, channel management, and routing intelligence operate synergistically to achieve enhanced performance. Experimental evaluation demonstrates that the proposed framework significantly improves throughput, reduces delay, and achieves a network lifetime improvement of 95.7% compared to conventional methods. The results confirm that the integrated energy- and trust-aware swarm intelligence framework offers a scalable and adaptive solution for next-generation MANETs supporting 5G and 6G communication environments.