Blockchain Data Segmentation for Node Synchronization Bottlenecks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The large size of Bitcoin's ledger, exceeding 150 gigabytes, leads to slow synchronization and transaction record search times when establishing a node, due to the need to download the entire ledger, which is inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A data storage system where data blocks are stored in a blockchain network with a preset storage period, forming data segments, and each segment is encrypted with a digital signature, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of transaction records by using a verification code, enabling selective downloading of necessary segments rather than the entire ledger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire ledger is downloaded to establish a Bitcoin node, then the node can access all transaction records, but the synchronization time and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large ledger into multiple data blocks organized in a tree structure (Merkle tree). Each block contains transaction records and can be independently downloaded and verified. Users only need to download specific blocks containing their required transaction data rather than the entire 150GB ledger, dramatically reducing synchronization time while maintaining data integrity through cryptographic hashing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and stores only the essential verification information (Merkle roots, block headers, and commitment data) in the main ledger, while detailed transaction records are distributed across separate data blocks. This allows nodes to verify transactions without downloading complete transaction data, reducing the amount of data that must be synchronized while preserving full verification capability.
2Loss of information
If the entire ledger is downloaded to establish a Bitcoin node, then all transaction records are available, but the search speed for specific transactions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent organizes transaction records into segmented data blocks with hierarchical indexing. Each block contains a subset of transactions and maintains internal indexing structures. When searching for a specific transaction, the system can quickly locate the relevant block using the Merkle tree structure and search only within that block rather than scanning the entire ledger, significantly improving search speed while maintaining complete transaction record availability.
3Reliability
If data is stored in a distributed blockchain network, then data security and decentralization are improved, but data retrieval efficiency deteriorates due to the need to access multiple nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the security benefits of distributed blockchain storage with efficient data retrieval by implementing a hierarchical storage architecture. Frequently accessed data and critical verification information are stored at higher levels of the hierarchy with faster access paths, while less frequently accessed data is distributed across the blockchain network. The Merkle tree structure enables efficient data location and retrieval by combining cryptographic verification with optimized data placement, maintaining security through distributed verification while improving retrieval efficiency through intelligent data organization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for storing data establishes a blockchain network, a plurality of data blocks being stored on nodes of the blockchain network. The plurality of data blocks is stored in batches to form a plurality of data segments according to a preset storage period. Each data segment written to the blockchain network is encrypted and newly added data blocks are synchronized with the data blocks which are not stored in the data segment. The newly added data blocks, together with the data blocks not yet stored as the data segment are stored after the commencement of the storage period. A data storage device is also provided.