Blockchain Participation in Resource-Constrained Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blockchain technology is resource-intensive, particularly in terms of storage and network bandwidth, which can severely impact the operation of resource-constrained networks, and is inefficient in mesh networks due to multi-hop transmissions and storage of all transaction data.
Innovation Solution
A device selects candidate participants for a blockchain based on communication link behavior and trims the blockchain when storage is low, recalculating and sending trim messages to other devices to optimize storage and bandwidth usage, and addresses errors by replacing defective blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all nodes participate in and store the complete blockchain with all transaction data, then data accuracy and authenticity are guaranteed, but storage resources and network bandwidth are severely consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blockchain participation into different roles: anchor nodes that maintain complete blockchains and non-anchor nodes that participate selectively. This segmentation allows the system to guarantee data accuracy through anchor nodes while reducing storage requirements for non-anchor nodes, resolving the contradiction between reliability and resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the full blockchain storage requirement from non-anchor nodes, keeping it only in anchor nodes. Non-anchor nodes store only essential validation data rather than complete transaction histories, thereby reducing storage resources while maintaining data accuracy guarantees through the anchor node infrastructure.
2Reliability
If all nodes validate and communicate complete blockchain data, then blockchain security and accuracy are maintained, but network bandwidth and communication resources are severely consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments validation responsibilities among anchor nodes, which perform complete validation, and non-anchor nodes, which perform selective validation. This segmentation maintains blockchain security through thorough validation by anchors while reducing network bandwidth consumption by limiting full data communication to only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
Anchor nodes act as intermediaries between the blockchain system and non-anchor nodes. They handle the heavy communication and validation burden, allowing non-anchor nodes to participate with minimal bandwidth consumption while still benefiting from the security guarantees provided by the anchor node validation process.
3Reliability
If the blockchain stores all transaction data indefinitely, then data authenticity is guaranteed, but storage resources are depleted in resource-constrained networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions by having anchor nodes maintain the complete blockchain history and providing proof-of-inclusion data to non-anchor nodes. This preliminary setup allows non-anchor nodes to verify data authenticity without storing the complete historical data, preserving storage capacity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring each node to store complete copies of the blockchain, the patent uses cryptographic copies and proofs (such as Merkle proofs) that allow verification of data authenticity without duplicating the entire transaction history. This reduces storage capacity requirements while preserving data authenticity guarantees.
Data Source
AI summary
A device selects a plurality of other devices to participate in a blockchain based at least in part on observed behavior of a communication link between the device and each of the other devices. The device, based at least in part on the selecting, participates in the blockchain with at least some of the plurality of other devices.