GRAP: Grey risk assessment based on projection in ad hoc networks

In this paper, we discuss the risk assessment of ad hoc networks, which have highly dynamic topology, open access of wireless channels, and vulnerable data communication. Conventional risk assessment methods are subjective and unreliable as some nodes reveal little information, and the quantity of samples is limited in ad hoc networks. To solve this problem, we propose a GRAP method, which includes grey relational projection (GRP), grey prediction, and grey decision making. Our scheme is designed to assess nodes’ risk under limited circumstances such as small number of samples, incomplete information and lack of experience. Compared with principal component analysis, GRAP has demonstrated better performance and more flexible characteristics. To further the practicability of this method, we utilize a dynamic grey prediction, which shows high accuracy for decision making. In our scheme, four major nodes’ attributes are selected, and the experiment results suggest that our model is more effective and efficient for risk assessment than principal component analysis in ad hoc networks. ► Risk assessment of ad hoc network is difficult because of incomplete information. ► We consider ad hoc network as a grey system and use grey theory to get risk level. ► There are fewer requirements for the quantity of the sample data in our method. ► Grey system method can resolve the problem encountered in probability-based methods. ► Our model has better performance than others such as PCA method.