Blockchain is a fully distributed system that stores a consistent and immutable linear event log of transactions between networked actors. In simple words, it is a digital database that links blocks of information in a secure and transparent way and that has the potential to revolutionize electronic transactions, in the same way, as in its time did the internet in communications. In this research work, the potential of the blockchain integration with the Internet of Things (IoT), the adoption of IoT devices in the industry, as well as other distributed ledger alternatives for an IoT ecosystem are analyzed. Blockchain was born as a digital ledger to support a reliable and secure decentralized payment network (P2P). However, just as in the past it happened with the internet, the potential of blockchain technology has been discovered and developed over recent years, and now is able to support much more complex operations than a payment network. Among the new developments of this technology, there are blockchain protocols intended for the use of autonomous organizations, digital governance, decentralized applications, smart contracts, interoperability among many other aspects. It is in the development of these new blockchains protocols, that countless additional possibilities arise, such as the use of the blockchain in an Internet of Things network. In the world of the Internet of Things, there is a huge range of use cases such as smart cities, smart grid, smart homes, connected cars, smart farming, supply chain, etc. However, to achieve such interconnectivity of the devices, a network capable of supporting the transmission of data in a safe and reliable manner is necessary. The network structures of current IoT devices are based on centralized networks, where the single point of failure problem is present. Identifying the value proposition and limitations that the blockchain technology offers compared to traditional service providers allows discovering which business models can be challenged by the use of this technology (e.g. notary, financial industry). However, this investigative work does not limit itself in looking for an established business in which the blockchain can help or improve a current technology or process, it also investigates new business opportunities that may arise through blockchain-based applications.
La blockchain è nata come un registro digitale per supportare una rete di pagamento decentralizzata, sicura ed affidabile. Si tratta di un sistema distribuito che immagazzina un registro consistente ed immutabile di eventi lineari delle transazioni tra attori in rete. In altre parole, si può definire la blockchain come un database digitale che collega blocchi di informazioni in modo sicuro e trasparente e ha il potenziale per rivoluzionare le transazioni elettroniche. In questa ricerca vengono analizzati lo studio della integrazione delle Internet of Things (IoT) con la blockchain, le sfide che ciò comporta e l'adozione dei dispositivi per l'utilizzo nelle industrie così come altre alternative dei distributed ledger per l’IoT. Proprio com'è successo con internet nel passato, il potenziale della tecnologia blockchain è stata scoperta e sviluppata negli ultimi anni per supportare operazioni più complesse delle semplici transazioni in rete. Tra i nuovi sviluppi di questa tecnologia ci sono protocolli di blockchain destinati all'uso di organizzazioni autonome, governance digitale, applicazioni decentralizzate, contratti intelligenti, interoperabilità e altri aspetti. Lungo il percorso di sviluppo dei più recenti protocolli di blockchain sorgono innumerevoli possibilità aggiuntive per l'uso della tecnologia stessa, come nel caso dell'utilizzo della blockchain su una rete di IoT. Del mondo delle IoT si può trovare un potenziale utilizzo in città intelligenti, case intelligenti, automobili connesse, agricoltura intelligente, e altre ancora. Inoltre, si ha bisogno di una rete capace di supportare le trasmissioni di dati in modo sicuro ed affidabile per ottenere l’interconnettività richiesta dai dispositivi. Le strutture di rete degli attuali dispositivi IoT si basano su reti centralizzate, in cui è presente il problema del singolo punto di errore. L'identificazione della value proposition e dei limiti che la tecnologia blockchain offre rispetto ai fornitori di servizi tradizionali permette di scoprire quali modelli di business siano capaci di superare le diverse sfide che sorgono dall'uso di questa tecnologia, ad esempio il settore finanziario oppure notarile. Tuttavia, l'analisi di questo studio non si limita a cercare le migliorie portate dalla tecnologia blockchain a un'azienda tradizionale, ma cerca anche di prevedere le potenziali opportunità di business che potrebbero sorgere in funzione delle applicazioni quotidiane della tecnologia blockchain.
Blockchain and beyond, integration of IoT devices with the distributed ledger technology
MARTÍNEZ ULLOA, ANTONIO ANDRËS
2018/2019
Abstract
Blockchain is a fully distributed system that stores a consistent and immutable linear event log of transactions between networked actors. In simple words, it is a digital database that links blocks of information in a secure and transparent way and that has the potential to revolutionize electronic transactions, in the same way, as in its time did the internet in communications. In this research work, the potential of the blockchain integration with the Internet of Things (IoT), the adoption of IoT devices in the industry, as well as other distributed ledger alternatives for an IoT ecosystem are analyzed. Blockchain was born as a digital ledger to support a reliable and secure decentralized payment network (P2P). However, just as in the past it happened with the internet, the potential of blockchain technology has been discovered and developed over recent years, and now is able to support much more complex operations than a payment network. Among the new developments of this technology, there are blockchain protocols intended for the use of autonomous organizations, digital governance, decentralized applications, smart contracts, interoperability among many other aspects. It is in the development of these new blockchains protocols, that countless additional possibilities arise, such as the use of the blockchain in an Internet of Things network. In the world of the Internet of Things, there is a huge range of use cases such as smart cities, smart grid, smart homes, connected cars, smart farming, supply chain, etc. However, to achieve such interconnectivity of the devices, a network capable of supporting the transmission of data in a safe and reliable manner is necessary. The network structures of current IoT devices are based on centralized networks, where the single point of failure problem is present. Identifying the value proposition and limitations that the blockchain technology offers compared to traditional service providers allows discovering which business models can be challenged by the use of this technology (e.g. notary, financial industry). However, this investigative work does not limit itself in looking for an established business in which the blockchain can help or improve a current technology or process, it also investigates new business opportunities that may arise through blockchain-based applications.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/149650