Blockchain-Driven AI-Enhanced Post-Quantum Multivariate Identity-based Signature and Privacy-Preserving Data Aggregation Scheme for Fog-enabled Flying Ad-Hoc Networks | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Blockchain-Driven AI-Enhanced Post-Quantum Multivariate Identity-based Signature and Privacy-Preserving Data Aggregation Scheme for Fog-enabled Flying Ad-Hoc Networks Sufian Al majmaie, Ghazal Ghajari, Niraj Prasad Bhatta, Fathi Amsaad This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9318191/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The integration of Fog Computing with Flying Ad-Hoc Networks (FANETs) offers promising capabilities for decentralized, low-latency intelligence in UAV-based applications. However, the distributed nature, mobility, and resource constraints of FANETs expose them to significant security and privacy challenges, particularly against quantum threats. To address these issues, this work introduces a blockchain-based, AI-enhanced key management framework designed for fog-enabled FANETs. The proposed scheme employs a Post-Quantum Multivariate Identity-Based Signature Scheme (PQ-MISS) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) to achieve secure key establishment, privacy-preserving data aggregation, and integrity verification. A polynomial composition-based encryption mechanism and an aggregate signature model support secure and efficient multi-device communication across fog and UAV layers. Fog servers construct partial blockchain blocks from validated UAV data. These blocks are completed and mined by Cloud Servers (CSs). AI algorithms then analyze the verified data to generate accurate predictions and insights. NS-3 simulations validate the efficiency of PQ-MISS in reducing communication overhead while improving the speed and reliability of data aggregation and verification. Comparative analysis demonstrates the proposed scheme's advantages over existing methods in computational cost, post-quantum security, and scalability, making it a robust solution for secure, intelligent, and future-ready FANET systems. Post-Quantum Cryptography Identity-Based Signature Blockchain Fog Computing Flying Ad-Hoc Networks (FANETs) Aggregate Signature Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 10 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 01 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 14 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 14 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 10 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 09 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 08 Apr, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 08 Apr, 2026 First submitted to journal 04 Apr, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9318191","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":622906138,"identity":"2d30ac17-a07d-4d8f-9ca0-2837d4ba499f","order_by":0,"name":"Sufian Al majmaie","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABCklEQVRIie3PsUoDMRzH8V84vC5/7RroYV7hgpNI6YO43HGDUyeh88FBXE5cb/MVnDqfZOginS0ROR9A6CQZVLy0FF3u6iiY75CEkA9JAJ/vLzZwAwEhwJq1W3K3E/aQ4JsEstqQ4DdkWzgiN+0jwwIHdzaai6NBjtFYPUfi/KbGeqY7CdcIVyUZqajGyVRdknzSYNWym0AP3x6JDFM8QTadJySrDMGh6ibC3fJOZqJEA326Ix89JG6JaW9JFQcrWEsEbwnrIdKRiEymKC3Y9WdCMc/i+3J50UmOF3m4ei3N+PZKL6x9SCaiSl8aOzvr/r6LlZsx3z61Bur+8y77Yy3y/ed9Pp/vf/UF7odQZ4JkUkkAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Wright State University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sufian","middleName":"Al","lastName":"majmaie","suffix":""},{"id":622906139,"identity":"24915472-c0b1-4b08-888b-9f625e5db54f","order_by":1,"name":"Ghazal Ghajari","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Wright State University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ghazal","middleName":"","lastName":"Ghajari","suffix":""},{"id":622906140,"identity":"70f75d97-e822-418d-9ce9-050707b16991","order_by":2,"name":"Niraj Prasad Bhatta","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Cincinnati","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Niraj","middleName":"Prasad","lastName":"Bhatta","suffix":""},{"id":622906141,"identity":"50760097-ae12-4046-9d56-4c3c13499ca6","order_by":3,"name":"Fathi Amsaad","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Wright State University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Fathi","middleName":"","lastName":"Amsaad","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-04-04 06:53:13","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9318191/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9318191/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":107481164,"identity":"74ec7b8a-1983-43fb-a959-392f1142df30","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-22 02:16:19","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":982067,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"PQMISSsubmissionready.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9318191/v1_covered_b45ea418-2c87-4ee5-8245-ecde72f8ba88.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Blockchain-Driven AI-Enhanced Post-Quantum Multivariate Identity-based Signature and Privacy-Preserving Data Aggregation Scheme for Fog-enabled Flying Ad-Hoc Networks","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"
[email protected]","identity":"cluster-computing","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Cluster Computing](https://www.springer.com/journal/10586)","snPcode":"10586","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10586/3","title":"Cluster Computing","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Post-Quantum Cryptography, Identity-Based Signature, Blockchain, Fog Computing, Flying Ad-Hoc Networks (FANETs), Aggregate Signature","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9318191/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9318191/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"The integration of Fog Computing with Flying Ad-Hoc Networks (FANETs) offers promising capabilities for decentralized, low-latency intelligence in UAV-based applications. However, the distributed nature, mobility, and resource constraints of FANETs expose them to significant security and privacy challenges, particularly against quantum threats. To address these issues, this work introduces a blockchain-based, AI-enhanced key management framework designed for fog-enabled FANETs. The proposed scheme employs a Post-Quantum Multivariate Identity-Based Signature Scheme (PQ-MISS) and Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) to achieve secure key establishment, privacy-preserving data aggregation, and integrity verification. A polynomial composition-based encryption mechanism and an aggregate signature model support secure and efficient multi-device communication across fog and UAV layers. Fog servers construct partial blockchain blocks from validated UAV data. These blocks are completed and mined by Cloud Servers (CSs). AI algorithms then analyze the verified data to generate accurate predictions and insights. NS-3 simulations validate the efficiency of PQ-MISS in reducing communication overhead while improving the speed and reliability of data aggregation and verification. Comparative analysis demonstrates the proposed scheme's advantages over existing methods in computational cost, post-quantum security, and scalability, making it a robust solution for secure, intelligent, and future-ready FANET systems.","manuscriptTitle":"Blockchain-Driven AI-Enhanced Post-Quantum Multivariate Identity-based Signature and Privacy-Preserving Data Aggregation Scheme for Fog-enabled Flying Ad-Hoc Networks","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-16 22:33:59","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9318191/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-05-10T22:44:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-01T07:01:56+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-14T10:29:31+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"196649733817031056814450054936088203388","date":"2026-04-14T10:12:49+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"327769372085673671087930788697479389738","date":"2026-04-10T06:55:30+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-04-09T05:26:35+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-04-08T15:45:10+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-04-08T04:45:14+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Cluster Computing","date":"2026-04-04T06:38:33+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"
[email protected]","identity":"cluster-computing","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Cluster Computing](https://www.springer.com/journal/10586)","snPcode":"10586","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10586/3","title":"Cluster Computing","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"1acba5b0-4a36-422c-87e6-493bc7fbc484","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 16th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-05-10T22:44:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-01T07:01:56+00:00","index":23,"fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"in-revision","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-10T22:54:20+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-16 22:33:59","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9318191","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9318191","identity":"rs-9318191","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}
Text is read by the "Ask this paper" AI Q&A widget below.
Extraction quality varies by source — PMC NXML preserves structure
cleanly, OA-HTML may include some navigation residue, and OA-PDF can
have broken hyphenation. The publisher copy
(via DOI)
is the canonical version.