Distributed Communication Nodes Using Blockchain for Cybersecurity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional communication networks, especially those in aircraft, face cybersecurity threats when a central server is compromised, necessitating robust security measures to monitor health and data integrity.

Innovation Solution

A distributed communication network utilizing blockchain technology, where each communication node stores a local copy of a permissioned blockchain ledger and verifies records through consensus computing and hash comparisons to ensure data integrity and exclude malicious nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central server is used for control and monitoring, then the system structure is simple and easy to manage, but the cybersecurity is compromised when the central server is corrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecybersecurityVSAvoidnetwork structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized control function into distributed nodes across the network. Each node maintains a copy of the blockchain ledger and can independently verify transactions, eliminating the single point of failure represented by the central server while distributing security responsibilities across multiple participants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blockchain ledger acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables trust and verification without requiring a central authority. The consensus algorithm serves as a mediator that coordinates agreement among distributed nodes, allowing them to collectively maintain security without centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If blockchain verification through consensus computing is implemented, then data integrity is ensured, but the communication overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidverification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a permissioned blockchain where only authorized nodes participate in consensus verification, rather than requiring all network nodes to verify every transaction. This partial participation approach maintains data integrity through selective verification while reducing the time and computational overhead compared to fully decentralized consensus mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10728019B2Communication nodes, distributed communication networks, and methods for monitoring communication in a communication network using blockchains

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP

AI summary

A communication node for use in a distributed communication network, a communication network and a method for monitoring communication and cybersecurity in a distributed communication network are provided. The communication node includes, but is not limited to a communication module, a memory, and a processor. The communication module is configured to communicate with a communication module of another communication node in a distributed communication network and to store a local copy of a blockchain ledger in the memory. The processor is further configured to generate a record to be added to the local copy of the blockchain ledger stored in the memory every time the communication node communicates with any of the plurality of communication nodes in the distributed communication network. The processor is further configured to verify and monitor the permissioned blockchain by consensus computing and previous hash comparisons.