HL-IEM: a Hilbert-Logistic dual-layer chaotic encryption mechanism for lightweight and secure image communication
摘要
This study presents an advanced AI-Adaptive Hilbert and Logistic Image Encryption Mechanism (HL-IEM) that combines an Adaptive Feed-Forward Neural Network (FNN), a Logistic Chaotic Map, and Hilbert Curve Block Scrambling to achieve robust, lightweight, and content-aware image security. The FNN operates on image features such as mean intensity, variance, entropy, and edge density, and accordingly generates optimised chaotic parameters that control both pixel-level diffusion via the Logistic Map and adaptive block-level permutation via the Hilbert Curve. This collaboration between AI-driven chaotic control and nonlinear permutation–diffusion ensures strong key sensitivity, high randomness, and complete decorrelation of adjacent pixels. Experimental evaluation across standard test images (Peppers, Tree, Airplane, and House) demonstrates near-ideal information entropy (7.9488–7.9932), correlation coefficients close to zero after encryption, NPCR above 99.83%, and UACI around 32.90 to 33.78%. The MSE values range from 8125 to 8205, and the PSNR values range from 9.03 to 9.08 dB, indicating very high image quality. The encryption and decryption times are around 1 second for