Smart Channel Hopping Model for Mitigating Reactive Jamming Attacks in Internet of Things Networks

Authors

Enos Letsoalo, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Tshimangadzo Tshilongamulendze, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Topside Mathonsi, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa

Daniel du Plessis, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Published in

IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings

ISSN: 2576-8581

ISBN: 978-1-905824-76-2

DOI: https://doi.org/10.67725/IST-Africa.2026.VHQB3243

Publisher

IST-Africa Institute and IIMC International Information Management Corporation Ltd

Published in Ireland

Abstract

The ubiquity of IoT networks make them vulnerable to various network attacks. Reactive jamming attacks (RJA) are persistent threats to IoT devices because they cause communication disruptions as they mainly target active communication channels. Research studies show that work has been done in detecting jamming attacks. However, existing studies is not thorough in mitigating RJA. In this study, we propose a smart channel hopping model (SCHM) through the application of reinforcement learning algorithms, specifically Q-learning and double deep-q network (DDQN). We use Markov Decision Process (MDP) framework to model IoT devices' interaction with jammed channel. MDP framework is proven as a basis for development of Q-learning and DDQN. Through MDP we designed a SCHM to help IoT agent learn an optimal policy for traversing IoT network challenges such as busy channels, RJAs, power constraints and full frame buffer queues while increasing packet delivery ratio (PDR). Simulation results show DDQN performs better than Q-learning. Furthermore, the proposed SCHM can converge quickly and that by using it to train IoT agent and to predict channel states, RJAs can be mitigated effectively. Moreover, PDR can be improved, and IoT devices power utilization can be optimized in IoT networks.

Keywords

Reactive jamming attacks, smart channel hopping model, Q-learning, double deep-q network, IoT networks, packet delivery ratio

Cite this paper

E. Letsoalo, T. Tshilongamulendze, T. Mathonsi and D. du Plessis (2026) "Smart Channel Hopping Model for Mitigating Reactive Jamming Attacks in Internet of Things Networks", IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings, Miriam Cunningham and Paul Cunningham (Eds), IST-Africa Institute and IIMC, 2026, ISSN: 2576-8581, ISBN: 978-1-905824-76-2, https://doi.org/10.67725/IST-Africa.2026.VHQB3243

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