Asynchronous Network Time Evidence Using TEE and TPM
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing consensus mechanisms for validating transactions in distributed ledgers, such as proof of work (PoW) and proof of stake (PoS), face challenges including high energy consumption, vulnerability to hardware attacks, and inefficiencies in generating evidence of elapsed time.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating evidence of the time elapsed between events in an asynchronous network using an embedded system with a trusted execution environment (TEE) and a trusted hardware component (TPM), which includes multiple clocks for accurate and secure time measurement and verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proof of work mechanism is used to validate transactions, then the integrity and correctness of transaction history is guaranteed, but energy consumption becomes considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from computational difficulty (PoW) to trusted time measurement. By using TEE and TPM to provide cryptographically verifiable time stamps, the system validates transactions based on time ordering rather than computational work, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining historical integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical computational process of PoW with a cryptographic time verification mechanism. Instead of requiring nodes to perform brute-force hashing, the system uses TEE-generated time proofs and TPM-verified time stamps to establish transaction order, substituting computational mechanics with cryptographic verification
2Device complexity
If a single external clock is used for time synchronization, then time measurement is simplified, but the system becomes vulnerable to malicious actions and hardware attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time measurement function across multiple independent components: TEE provides cryptographically secure time generation, TPM provides hardware-rooted time verification, and external clocks provide reference timing. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure while maintaining system simplicity through clear separation of concerns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces TEE and TPM as intermediary trusted components between the external clock and the transaction validation process. These intermediaries verify and sign time measurements, creating a chain of trust that protects against malicious manipulation while allowing the use of external clock references
3Use of energy by moving object
If proof of stake mechanism is used to validate transactions, then energy consumption is reduced, but a reward system must be set up which is not appropriate to some application contexts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables nodes to self-verify transaction timing through cryptographic proofs generated by their own TEE and TPM components. This self-service verification eliminates the need for centralized reward distribution mechanisms, allowing the system to be deployed in contexts where PoS reward systems are inappropriate while maintaining low energy consumption
4Measurement precision
If Verifiable Delay Functions are implemented using secure environment or TEE with external clock, then elapsed time verification is achieved, but the external clock becomes a single point of failure susceptible to corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares multiple independent time measurement paths in advance (TEE internal clock, TPM monotonic counter, external precision clock) so that if one becomes compromised, the others provide backup verification. This prior cushioning against failure maintains measurement precision while reducing vulnerability to malicious actions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating an evidence of the time elapsed between two successive events occurring within a node of an asynchronous network, for example between two transactions emitted by such a node intended to a distributed register (ledger). The node is provided with an embedded system comprising a TPM module generating a control clock, a system clock within a TEE environment and a precision clock. The node verifies the coherence of the clocks by comparing the measurements of the time elapsed between two successive transactions, the measurements having been performed by means of the different clocks. In case of coherence of the measurements, the node emits a transaction proving the elapsed time intended to the distributed register. A verifier node may verify this evidence and certifies that the evidence is verified by emitting a validation transaction to the distributed register.