LightChain-RAN-RF: a lightweight blockchain-enabled RFID framework for O-RAN edge environments

Hadiseh Rezaei; Mehdi  Golsorkhtabaramiri; Rahim Taheri; Chuan Heng Foh; Mohammad Shojafar

doi:10.1109/HPCC67675.2025.00155

LightChain-RAN-RF: a lightweight blockchain-enabled RFID framework for O-RAN edge environments

Hadiseh Rezaei, Mehdi Golsorkhtabaramiri , Rahim Taheri, Chuan Heng Foh, Mohammad Shojafar

School of Computing

University of Surrey

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

This paper presents the LightChain-RAN-RF, a lightweight blockchain-based architecture designed to enhance the security, privacy, and efficiency of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems operating in Dense Reader Environments (DRE). By combining CSMA-based anti-collision protocols with mutual authentication, encrypted communication, and InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)-backed blockchain storage, the proposed method addresses key challenges such as reader collisions, energy consumption, and vulnerability to attacks like Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) and Sybil. RFID readers act as light blockchain nodes, ensuring secure, scalable interaction across distributed networks. The architecture is fully compatible with Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) frameworks, allowing RFID readers to function as trusted edge devices in virtualized, Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven mobile infrastructures. Simulation results confirm significant improvements in throughput (almost 60%) and decreases in energy efficiency (almost 1.4 J), demonstrating the system's suitability for modern industrial IoT and mobile network applications.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	LightChain-RAN-RF: A Lightweight Blockchain-Enabled RFID Framework for O-RAN Edge Environments
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Number of pages	6
ISBN (Electronic)	9798331568740
ISBN (Print)	9798331568757
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/HPCC67675.2025.00155
Publication status	Published - 31 Oct 2025
Event	2025 IEEE International Conference on High Performance Computing and Communications - Exeter, United Kingdom Duration: 13 Aug 2025 → 15 Aug 2025

Conference

Conference	2025 IEEE International Conference on High Performance Computing and Communications
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Exeter
Period	13/08/25 → 15/08/25

Keywords

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN)
Dense Reader Environment (DRE)
Blockchain
Security
UKRI
EPSRC
EP/Y037421/1
EP/X040518/1

Access to Document

10.1109/HPCC67675.2025.00155

Post Print VersionAccepted author manuscript (Post-print), 701 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Rezaei, H., Golsorkhtabaramiri , M., Taheri, R., Foh, C. H., & Shojafar, M. (2025). LightChain-RAN-RF: a lightweight blockchain-enabled RFID framework for O-RAN edge environments. In LightChain-RAN-RF: A Lightweight Blockchain-Enabled RFID Framework for O-RAN Edge Environments Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/HPCC67675.2025.00155

@inproceedings{dc04cf832b3540edad6e080e1a7efcb3,

title = "LightChain-RAN-RF: a lightweight blockchain-enabled RFID framework for O-RAN edge environments",

abstract = "This paper presents the LightChain-RAN-RF, a lightweight blockchain-based architecture designed to enhance the security, privacy, and efficiency of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems operating in Dense Reader Environments (DRE). By combining CSMA-based anti-collision protocols with mutual authentication, encrypted communication, and InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)-backed blockchain storage, the proposed method addresses key challenges such as reader collisions, energy consumption, and vulnerability to attacks like Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) and Sybil. RFID readers act as light blockchain nodes, ensuring secure, scalable interaction across distributed networks. The architecture is fully compatible with Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) frameworks, allowing RFID readers to function as trusted edge devices in virtualized, Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven mobile infrastructures. Simulation results confirm significant improvements in throughput (almost 60\%) and decreases in energy efficiency (almost 1.4 J), demonstrating the system's suitability for modern industrial IoT and mobile network applications.",

keywords = "Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN), Dense Reader Environment (DRE), Blockchain, Security, UKRI, EPSRC, EP/Y037421/1, EP/X040518/1",

author = "Hadiseh Rezaei and Mehdi Golsorkhtabaramiri and Rahim Taheri and Foh, \{Chuan Heng\} and Mohammad Shojafar",

note = "No ISSN; 2025 IEEE International Conference on High Performance Computing and Communications ; Conference date: 13-08-2025 Through 15-08-2025",

year = "2025",

month = oct,

day = "31",

doi = "10.1109/HPCC67675.2025.00155",

language = "English",

isbn = "9798331568757",

booktitle = "LightChain-RAN-RF: A Lightweight Blockchain-Enabled RFID Framework for O-RAN Edge Environments",

publisher = "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.",

address = "United States",

}

Rezaei, H, Golsorkhtabaramiri , M, Taheri, R, Foh, CH & Shojafar, M 2025, LightChain-RAN-RF: a lightweight blockchain-enabled RFID framework for O-RAN edge environments. in LightChain-RAN-RF: A Lightweight Blockchain-Enabled RFID Framework for O-RAN Edge Environments. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025 IEEE International Conference on High Performance Computing and Communications, Exeter, United Kingdom, 13/08/25. https://doi.org/10.1109/HPCC67675.2025.00155

LightChain-RAN-RF: a lightweight blockchain-enabled RFID framework for O-RAN edge environments. / Rezaei, Hadiseh; Golsorkhtabaramiri , Mehdi ; Taheri, Rahim et al.
LightChain-RAN-RF: A Lightweight Blockchain-Enabled RFID Framework for O-RAN Edge Environments. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

TY - GEN

T1 - LightChain-RAN-RF: a lightweight blockchain-enabled RFID framework for O-RAN edge environments

AU - Rezaei, Hadiseh

AU - Golsorkhtabaramiri , Mehdi

AU - Taheri, Rahim

AU - Foh, Chuan Heng

AU - Shojafar, Mohammad

N1 - No ISSN

PY - 2025/10/31

Y1 - 2025/10/31

N2 - This paper presents the LightChain-RAN-RF, a lightweight blockchain-based architecture designed to enhance the security, privacy, and efficiency of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems operating in Dense Reader Environments (DRE). By combining CSMA-based anti-collision protocols with mutual authentication, encrypted communication, and InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)-backed blockchain storage, the proposed method addresses key challenges such as reader collisions, energy consumption, and vulnerability to attacks like Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) and Sybil. RFID readers act as light blockchain nodes, ensuring secure, scalable interaction across distributed networks. The architecture is fully compatible with Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) frameworks, allowing RFID readers to function as trusted edge devices in virtualized, Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven mobile infrastructures. Simulation results confirm significant improvements in throughput (almost 60%) and decreases in energy efficiency (almost 1.4 J), demonstrating the system's suitability for modern industrial IoT and mobile network applications.

AB - This paper presents the LightChain-RAN-RF, a lightweight blockchain-based architecture designed to enhance the security, privacy, and efficiency of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems operating in Dense Reader Environments (DRE). By combining CSMA-based anti-collision protocols with mutual authentication, encrypted communication, and InterPlanetary File System (IPFS)-backed blockchain storage, the proposed method addresses key challenges such as reader collisions, energy consumption, and vulnerability to attacks like Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) and Sybil. RFID readers act as light blockchain nodes, ensuring secure, scalable interaction across distributed networks. The architecture is fully compatible with Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) frameworks, allowing RFID readers to function as trusted edge devices in virtualized, Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven mobile infrastructures. Simulation results confirm significant improvements in throughput (almost 60%) and decreases in energy efficiency (almost 1.4 J), demonstrating the system's suitability for modern industrial IoT and mobile network applications.

KW - Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

KW - Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN)

KW - Dense Reader Environment (DRE)

KW - Blockchain

KW - Security

KW - UKRI

KW - EPSRC

KW - EP/Y037421/1

KW - EP/X040518/1

U2 - 10.1109/HPCC67675.2025.00155

DO - 10.1109/HPCC67675.2025.00155

M3 - Conference contribution

SN - 9798331568757

BT - LightChain-RAN-RF: A Lightweight Blockchain-Enabled RFID Framework for O-RAN Edge Environments

PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

T2 - 2025 IEEE International Conference on High Performance Computing and Communications

Y2 - 13 August 2025 through 15 August 2025

ER -

LightChain-RAN-RF: a lightweight blockchain-enabled RFID framework for O-RAN edge environments

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

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Cite this