A byzantine sensing network based on majority-consensus data aggregation mechanism

Abstract

In the current Internet of Things era, digital devices form complex interconnections. The statuses of objects of interest are monitored using sensors, and distributed wireless sensor networks are formed from numerous sensor nodes. Many Byzantine fault tolerance mechanisms in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) were proposed from Byzantine agreement which even with a few faulty nodes in a sensor network, most healthy nodes can reach a consensus, perform data transmission tasks, and maintain network operation. In this study, this mechanism was utilized together with the majority function technique; in particular, the proposed method uses original sensor signals to define a threshold to assert a binary value of one or zero, thereby performing data judgment and aggregation. This approach reduces node energy consumption and enables the nodes to quickly reach a consensus. Moreover, the operating performance of the network can be maintained even when problems such as node failure and faults occur within the fault tolerance range. Compared with existing algorithms, the proposed data aggregation mechanism exhibits a better network life cycle and can effectively extend the flexibility of network operations.