Secure Blockchain Chain Division Through Dynamic Validator Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Permission-based blockchains face scalability limitations due to inefficient BFT consensus protocols as the number of participants increases, and existing sharding solutions are rigid and unsuitable for scenarios where multiple blockchains coexist and operate autonomously.
Innovation Solution
A method for secure chain division by a validator node that splits validator nodes into subsets of child chains, implementing a reconfiguration protocol to set up the child chains and record the division in an identity management system, allowing autonomous operation and cross-chain transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of participants in a permission-based blockchain increases, then the system can handle more transactions and improve scalability, but the BFT consensus protocol becomes inefficient and performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large blockchain into multiple smaller satellite chains, each with its own subset of validator nodes. This segmentation allows each satellite chain to maintain efficient BFT consensus with fewer participants while the overall system achieves higher throughput by processing transactions across multiple chains in parallel. The parent chain coordinates between satellite chains, enabling scalable growth without sacrificing consensus efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple blockchains operate autonomously, then each chain can function independently with its own validators, but existing sharding solutions are rigid and cannot support autonomous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic architecture where validator nodes can move between satellite chains and the parent chain based on operational needs. Validators are not permanently assigned to specific shards but can be dynamically allocated, allowing chains to adapt their composition. This dynamic reconfiguration enables autonomous operation while maintaining system coordination through the parent chain, overcoming the rigidity of traditional sharding.
3Productivity
If validator nodes are split into subsets for different chains, then throughput increases through parallel processing, but coordination between chains becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a parent chain that acts as an intermediary between satellite chains. The parent chain maintains a registry of validators across all satellite chains and coordinates cross-chain transactions and operations. This intermediary structure enables parallel processing in satellite chains while providing a centralized coordination layer that manages inter-chain communication, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from direct peer-to-peer coordination between all chains.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for secure chain division of a satellite chain by a validator node of a permission-based blockchain system includes executing, by communicating with a set of validator nodes of an original satellite chain of the blockchain system, a validator assignment scheme that splits the set of validator nodes of the original satellite chain into subsets of validator nodes of child chains of the original satellite chain, and running, by communicating with the validator nodes of the respective subsets, a reconfiguration protocol to set up the respective child chains and sending, to an identity management component that maintains identity information of all members of the blockchain system in a registry, a configuration update to record the division of the original satellite chain and corresponding creation of the child chains.