A Blockchain System for TDMA-Based Tactical Wireless Networks With Constrained Resources

Abstract

This paper proposes a blockchain system with a consensus algorithm and timeslot allocation policy for TDMA-based tactical wireless networks with constrained resources. A blockchain can serve as a distributed database that ensures all nodes can store the same data even in unreliable network environments. Blockchain technology has numerous benefits, such as decentralization, tamper resistance, traceability, and audibility. Due to these characteristics, the application range of blockchains has dramatically expanded from cryptocurrency, financial services, risk management, and IoT to various services in both public and non-public domains. In addition, there has been an increasing demand for using blockchain technology in wireless network environments. Unlike wired networks, communication resources in wireless networks for data transmission and reception are relatively limited; as such, it is necessary to design a consensus algorithm with low resource consumption and an efficient resource allocation policy for these environments. The proposed system allocates timeslots to nodes based on their contribution to blockchain management, which prevents nodes from participating in an unnecessary competition for block generation, thereby preventing the associated waste of energy. We could verify the proposed system's practicality through numerical analysis and computer simulations under various conditions.