Simultaneous Block Formation via Base Key Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blockchain systems give an unfair advantage to powerful miner nodes that can quickly mine a second block without broadcasting the first block, leading to potential empty blocks and branching of the blockchain, which undermines fairness in mining.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a base key generated by the distributed ledger only after consensus on a first block is achieved, which must be used to generate the hash for a second block, ensuring all miner nodes start mining simultaneously and preventing premature mining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If powerful miner nodes mine blocks faster without broadcasting, then their mining speed and productivity improve, but fairness and blockchain integrity deteriorate due to empty blocks and branching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requires miner nodes to perform preliminary actions (broadcasting the first block) before proceeding to mine subsequent blocks. This preliminary broadcasting action ensures that all nodes have a common reference point before simultaneous block formation begins, preventing the scenario where powerful nodes create empty blocks or branches without network consensus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the completion of block broadcasting serves as a signal to initiate the next block formation. All nodes wait to receive the broadcast block before starting to mine the next block, creating a feedback loop that synchronizes mining across the network and prevents divergence.
2Productivity
If nodes start mining the next block immediately after mining current block, then productivity increases, but synchronization and fairness worsen due to premature mining
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requires the preliminary action of broadcasting the current block before nodes can begin mining the next block. This preliminary broadcasting step acts as a synchronization trigger, ensuring all nodes start mining simultaneously based on the same reference block, thereby maintaining stability in mining synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates equipotential conditions for all miner nodes by requiring them to wait for the same broadcast signal before initiating mining. This levels the playing field regardless of node power differences, as all nodes operate from the same starting point and timing reference, achieving fairness in the mining process.
3Reliability
If simultaneous block formation is enforced, then fairness improves, but productivity may decrease due to waiting time for broadcast confirmation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows nodes to skip the waiting period and begin mining as soon as they receive the broadcast block, rather than requiring confirmation from all nodes. This rushing through approach minimizes the synchronization delay while still ensuring fairness, as the broadcast propagation is typically very fast in modern networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires only partial action (broadcasting to a sufficient portion of the network) rather than waiting for complete universal confirmation before allowing next block mining to begin. This partial action approach maintains fairness while reducing the throughput penalty that would result from requiring full network consensus before proceeding.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a description of exemplary systems and methods for initiating a simultaneous start of block formation in a distributed ledger. The methods and systems may include a processor which may receive a base key. The base key may be generated by the distributed ledger at a time of validation of a first hash for a first block of transactions. The processor may generate a second hash for a second block of transactions to be added to the distributed ledger using the base key as an input for the second hash. The processor may transmit the second hash having the base key as an input to a plurality of second processors.