Decentralized Network Control via Blockchain Consensus

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the context of evolving wireless communication networks, the exclusive control and management by operators face challenges as multiple service providers with varying levels of trustworthiness interact, leading to suboptimal system performance in an open environment.

Innovation Solution

A decentralized authorization and validation mechanism using blockchain technology is implemented to enable multiple players to jointly control and manage wireless communication networks, ensuring trustworthiness, fault tolerance, consensus, transparency, and traceability through the formation of CON-NET groups and network slicing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple service providers are allowed to control and manage wireless communication networks in an open environment, then the adaptability and versatility of the network ecosystem is improved, but the reliability and trustworthiness of system operations deteriorate due to varying levels of trust among providers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork ecosystem opennessVSAvoidsystem operation trustworthiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A blockchain-based decentralized authorization and validation mechanism is introduced as an intermediary layer between multiple service providers. This mechanism enables trusted interactions without requiring mutual trust among providers, allowing them to jointly control and manage network functions while maintaining system reliability through cryptographic validation and consensus protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional operator-controlled mechanical management systems with a blockchain-based decentralized digital system. This substitution eliminates the need for hierarchical control structures and manual trust establishment, enabling automated, transparent, and tamper-proof authorization and validation across multiple untrusted service providers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If exclusive control and management by operators is maintained, then the reliability and control precision are improved, but the adaptability and ecosystem openness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork control reliabilityVSAvoidbusiness environment openness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments network control and management functions into distinct modular components that can be independently allocated to different service providers. Through network slicing and virtualization, operators can maintain control over critical functions while allowing partners to manage specific services, achieving both reliability through operator oversight and adaptability through distributed service delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control mechanisms where authorization and management rights can be flexibly allocated and reassigned based on service requirements and trust relationships. The blockchain-based system enables real-time updates to authorization policies and dynamic formation of CON-NET groups, allowing the network structure to adapt to changing business needs while maintaining operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If different service providers provide network control and management services, then the versatility of services is improved, but the system complexity and difficulty of coordination increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice type diversityVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal blockchain-based authorization and validation framework that can handle multiple types of service providers and network functions through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional system manages diverse services including network slicing, resource allocation, and service delivery through unified smart contracts and consensus mechanisms, reducing coordination complexity despite service diversity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in blockchain consensus mechanisms and smart contract configurations to adapt the system to different service types and provider relationships. By dynamically adjusting authorization levels, validation thresholds, and consensus parameters, the system can accommodate various service complexities without requiring fundamentally different coordination mechanisms for each service type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4038839B1Methods and systems for management and control of communication network
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4038839B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4038839B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4038839B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided methods, apparatus and systems for management and control of a communication network. The system includes a plurality of service providers, wherein each of the plurality of service providers belongs to a consortium and all the service providers in the consortium trust each other for actions under a rule corresponding to the consortium, wherein the rule indicates how to manage a record of the actions performed by each of the plurality of service providers. Each of the plurality of service providers is configured to provide a set of services in the communication network, wherein a set of services provided by one service provider in the consortium is in one service type and manage a creation of a record indicative of actions associated with a particular set of services that the service provider provides and a distribution of the record to one or more other service providers in the consortium.