Characterized Memory Validation for Cryptocurrency Mining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current memory hard cryptocurrency mining relies on general compute memories, which are expensive and inefficient, and using less reliable memories can result in excessive invalid proof-of-work (POW) solutions, leading to penalties and resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
The use of characterized memories with error-tolerant techniques to validate and optimize memory searches, allowing for faster and more efficient mining by selecting characterized rates based on solution density functions and bit error rates, and employing validation stages to ensure accurate results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If general compute memories are used for memory hard cryptocurrency mining, then mining can be performed, but the cost is high and efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using characterized memories (second-class or defective memory devices) instead of expensive general compute memories. These cheaper memories are subjected to a validation stage that filters out invalid results, allowing the system to achieve cost-effective mining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The validation stage acts as an intermediary component between the characterized memory search process and the final POW solution acceptance. This intermediary validates the results from the less reliable characterized memories, ensuring only valid solutions are accepted while allowing the use of cheaper memory devices.
2Ease of manufacture
If less reliable memories are used to reduce cost, then mining cost decreases, but excessive invalid POW solutions are generated leading to penalties
Solution Approach 1:
The validation stage serves as a mediator that receives results from characterized memories and filters out invalid POW solutions before they are submitted to the network. This intermediary ensures that only valid solutions from the less reliable characterized memories are accepted, preventing penalties while maintaining cost advantages.
Solution Approach 2:
The validation stage provides feedback by checking the validity of POW solutions generated by characterized memories and only accepting valid results. This feedback mechanism allows the system to use cheaper, less reliable memories while maintaining the reliability required for network acceptance.
3Productivity
If faster memory search rates are used to increase productivity, then mining speed increases, but bit error rates increase leading to more invalid solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The validation stage functions as an intermediary that allows the system to operate at higher memory search rates using characterized memories while filtering out the invalid results caused by increased bit error rates. This enables faster mining operations without accepting the harmful effects of higher error rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses characterized memories that can operate at higher speeds with higher error rates, accepting that these cheaper devices will generate some invalid results. The validation stage then filters these out, allowing the system to achieve faster overall productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for using characterized devices such as memories. In one embodiment, characterized memories are associated with a range of performances over a range of operational parameters. The characterized memories can be used in conjunction with a solution density function to optimize memory searching. In one exemplary embodiment, a cryptocurrency miner can utilize characterized memories to generate memory hard proof-of-work (POW). The results may be further validated against general compute memories; such that only valid solutions are broadcasted to the mining community. In one embodiment, the validation mechanism is implemented for a plurality of searching apparatus in parallel to provide a more distributed and efficient approach. Various other applications for characterized memories are also described in greater detail herein (e.g., blockchain, social media, machine learning, probabilistic applications and other error-tolerant applications).