Blockchain Consensus Node Selection via Equity Voting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current consensus node selection methods in the Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) algorithm are complex and inefficient, particularly in ensuring all nodes approve a newly selected consensus node, and face challenges when faults occur or consensus nodes need updating.
Innovation Solution
A consensus node selection method based on equity interest voting, where shareholder nodes vote for expected nodes based on predetermined shares, with the number of shares determining the selection result, and digital signatures ensure voting integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If random consensus node selection is used, then node selection diversity is improved, but consensus approval difficulty increases and implementation complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameter from random selection to equity-based selection, where nodes with higher equity have higher probability of being selected as consensus nodes. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining diversity through probabilistic selection while simplifying the approval process, as the selection outcome is predetermined by equity distribution rather than requiring complex consensus negotiations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary equity distribution among nodes before the consensus selection process. This preliminary action establishes a clear selection criterion based on equity holdings, eliminating the need for complex real-time negotiations during consensus approval. The selection outcome is effectively predetermined by the equity distribution, simplifying the overall process.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed consensus node selection is used, then implementation simplicity is improved, but fault tolerance and update capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic node selection based on equity distribution, where the set of consensus nodes can change as equity transfers occur between nodes. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining implementation simplicity through a clear equity-based criterion while achieving fault tolerance and update capability, as nodes can naturally join or leave the consensus set based on their equity holdings without complex reconfiguration.
3Productivity
If equity interest voting is implemented, then selection efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the existing equity distribution mechanism (which already exists in the blockchain system for economic purposes) as a copy for the consensus node selection process. Instead of creating a completely new voting system, it leverages the pre-existing equity data structure and transfer mechanisms, thereby achieving high selection efficiency without adding significant system complexity. The equity data serves dual purposes: economic governance and consensus selection.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described selecting consensus nodes in a blockchain. A voting process is performed by a plurality of shareholder nodes to generate a voting result for each shareholder node. The voting process comprises each shareholder node voting for a plurality of expected nodes, and the expected nodes and the plurality of shareholder nodes comprise a group of nodes associated with a blockchain. A shareholder node is a node that owns at least one share. A voting result is verified for each shareholder node. After the voting process, a number of shares owned by each node of the group of nodes id determined based on the voting result. A plurality of consensus nodes are selected from shareholder nodes based on the number of shares owned by each of the shareholder nodes.