Decentralized computation system architecture based on node specialization

Abstract

Described are systems, methods, and media for providing secure and scalable decentralized computation for one or more decentralized applications. Features include a blockchain; and a plurality of nodes comprising a plurality of each of three specialized node types, the specialized node types comprising access nodes, security nodes, and execution nodes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 421,222, filed May 23, 2019, entitled “DECENTRALIZED COMPUTATION SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE BASED ON NODE SPECIALIZATION”, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62 / 676,131, filed May 24, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]A distributed ledger can be described as a ledger of any transactions or contracts maintained in decentralized form across different locations and people, eliminating the need of a central authority to keep a check against manipulation. All the information on it is securely and accurately stored using cryptography and can be accessed using keys and cryptographic signatures. Once the information is stored, it becomes an immutable database, which the rules of the network govern. Distributed ledgers are inherently harder to attack than, for example, a centraliz...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The described decentralized computation system has several technical effects. Firstly, it has high throughput and no-sharding, which means it can process large amounts of data quickly and efficiently. Secondly, it allows for the creation of complex new trustless systems by combining simpler trustless systems. Thirdly, it provides separation of concerns for different tasks, which leads to node specialization and improved throughput and security of the network. Finally, it employs a scaling mechanism that allows for atomic access and modification of any part of the canonical state, ensuring consistent results.

Problems solved by technology

Moreover, lean product development methods and fast iteration cycles create products that serve user needs in record time.

But it is critical to start with a small system that works for its initial users so a more complex system can, eventually, grow out of it.

A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.

The first is Proof of Work (PoW), which is consistently criticized for its excessive use of power and inefficient resource allocation.

The second issue is the significant amount of duplicate effort a blockchain requires to operate, even in a Proof of Stake (PoS) based system which still requires all the nodes to hold all the state even though they are not solving a PoW problem.

This duplication is not only a chokepoint for scale, it is a poor allocation of resources that would be better served if applied to their respective strengths.

While the various approaches to sharding legitimately increase the number of transactions the network is able to handle, they severely limit the capability of those transactions.

In some sharded blockchain implementations, communication with other shards must occur asynchronously and—without expensive and complicated locking operations—runs the risk of acting on stale information.

Moreover, existing proposal for a sharded blockchain do not provide the ability for a single atomic transaction to interact with multiple shards.

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