LCE-AIoT : A lightweight cryptographic algorithm for resource-constrained AIoT devices

Kumar, Mukesh; Ahmed, Bilal; Shuja, Mirza; Dhiman, Kavita; Quteishat, Anas Mohammad Ali; Qtaishat, Ahmed; Bhardwaj, Vivek

doi:10.47974/JDMSC-2467

Open Access Research Article

LCE-AIoT : A lightweight cryptographic algorithm for resource-constrained AIoT devices

Mukesh Kumarmukesh.kumarphd2014@gmail.comAdvanced Centre of Research & Innovation (ACRI)School of Advanced ComputingCGC UniversityMohali, Punjab, 140307, IndiaView full profile → , Bilal Ahmedbilal.ahmed.jjn@gmail.comSchool of Computer ApplicationLovely Professional UniversityPhagwara, Punjab, IndiaView full profile → , Mirza Shujainfo.shuja@yahoo.inSchool of Computer ApplicationLovely Professional UniversityPhagwara, Punjab, IndiaView full profile → , Kavita Dhimankavita.dhiman786@gmail.comSchool of Advanced ComputingCGC UniversityMohali, Punjab, 140307, IndiaView full profile → , ^*Anas Mohammad Ali QuteishatCorresponding authoranas.quteishat@bau.edu.joFaculty of Engineering TechnologyAl-Balqa Applied UniversityAl-Salt 1, JordanView full profile → , Ahmed Qtaishataqtaishat@su.edu.omGeneral Foundation ProgramDepartment of Information TechnologySohar UniversitySohar, Sultanate of OmanView full profile → , Vivek Bhardwajvivek.bhardwaj@outlook.inDepartment of Computer Science and EngineeringAmity University PunjabMohali, Punjab, IndiaView full profile →

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pp. 3059–3069Vol. 28Issue 8December 2025DOI: 10.47974/JDMSC-2467 Crossmark XML

Received:: 05 Mar 2025
Published Online:: 08 Dec 2025
Article type:: Research Article
Language:: EN
Article no.:: JDMSC-2467
Pages:: 3059–3069

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) to enable intelligent, real-time decision-making in applications such as healthcare, smart agriculture, and industrial automation. However, ensuring data security in AIoT environments is challenging due to the limited computational resources, memory, and energy constraints of edge devices. Traditional cryptographic algorithms are often too heavy for such settings, while existing lightweight schemes may lack adequate security. This paper proposes LCE-AIoT, a lightweight cryptographic framework based on an optimized version of the Ascon algorithm. Designed for 128-bit authenticated encryption, LCE-AIoT reduces computational overhead by minimizing permutation rounds and memory usage, making it suitable for microcontrollers like ESP32 and STM32. The framework supports both pre-shared and ECC-based key exchange and integrates seamlessly with lightweight IoT operating systems such as Contiki-NG and TinyOS. Experimental results show that LCE-AIoT achieves superior performance compared to existing lightweight algorithms including PRESENT, SIMON, SPECK, and standard Ascon, offering lower execution time, reduced memory footprint, better energy efficiency, and higher throughput. This makes it ideal for secure, low-power AIoT applications. Future enhancements include post-quantum resilience, hardware acceleration, and blockchain integration, ensuring the framework’s adaptability to emerging intelligent systems.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence of things PRESENT SIMON SPECK Artificial intelligence Internet of things

Subject Classifications

Primary 68P25Secondary 94A60

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