Distributed Ledger UTC Timestamping Beyond GPS Signal Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed ledger technologies fail to provide highly secure and scalable transactions while maintaining immutability, decentralization, consensus, security, and automation, and lack precise time-ordering and synchronization using GPS/UTC signals, especially in the absence of satellite GPS.
Innovation Solution
A system using chip-scale components with grandmaster clocks, atomic clocks, quantum random number generators, and Byzantine Fault Tolerant consensus protocols for distributed ledger nodes, enabling precise timestamping and encryption, and maintaining UTC time accuracy through GPS and alternative sources, ensuring secure and rapid transaction processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If block mining is used for distributed ledger transaction processing, then security and immutability are improved, but transaction processing speed and throughput deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transaction processing function from the block mining function. Individual transactions are processed and validated separately with precise timestamping, while block mining continues to provide security through cryptographic linking. This separation allows transactions to be processed at individual transaction speed rather than waiting for batch block processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by timestamping and validating transactions individually before they are included in blocks. The precise GPS-based timestamping and cryptographic hashing of individual transactions occur in advance, allowing the transaction processing to proceed without waiting for the computationally intensive block mining process to complete.
2Measurement precision
If GPS satellite signals are used for time synchronization, then time precision is improved, but system reliability deteriorates in the absence of satellite signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by preparing alternative time synchronization methods (terrestrial atomic clocks, network time protocols) that can be activated when GPS satellite signals are unavailable. These backup mechanisms are pre-configured and can take over seamlessly, cushioning the system against GPS signal loss and maintaining operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by switching between different time synchronization sources based on availability. When GPS signals are present, the system uses satellite-based UTC time with nanosecond precision. When GPS signals are absent, the system transitions to alternative synchronization methods, changing the operational parameters of the timekeeping mechanism to maintain functionality.
3Reliability
If batch block processing is used, then security through consensus is improved, but transaction throughput and speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transaction processing workflow into independent transaction validation (with precise timestamping) and block formation (with cryptographic linking). This allows transactions to be processed individually and rapidly validated against the ledger state, while block mining continues to provide security through consensus mechanisms. The segmentation eliminates the bottleneck where all transactions must wait for block completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuity of useful action by allowing transaction processing to continue uninterrupted while block mining proceeds separately. The precise timestamping and individual transaction validation can occur continuously without waiting for the periodic block mining cycles, maintaining continuous ledger updates and higher transaction throughput while preserving the security benefits of block-based consensus.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and apparatus in which a client computer initiates and communicates a distributed ledger transaction, said transaction labeled with a Coordinated Universal Time or UTC timestamp derived from GPS and/or GNSS satellite signals or, in the absence of GPS, an alternate source of UTC signals. The distributed ledger network nodes are able to send and receive UTC time signals even if there is a GPS and/or GNSS satellite failure.