A Reputation-Aided Lightweight Consensus Service Framework for Multi-Chain Metaverse

• Published in: IEEE network 2024-11, Vol.38 (6), p.201-210
• Main Authors: Xia, Pengcheng, Li, Jun, Shi, Long, Cao, Bin, Tan, Wuzheng, Weng, Jian, Liu, Yang, Han, Zhu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: blockchain; Blockchains; Consensus protocol; consensus service framework; Energy consumption; Metaverse; Recording; reputation; Security; Throughput
• ISSN: 0890-8044; 1558-156X
• DOI: 10.1109/MNET.2024.3382346

As a fundamental technology of the Metaverse, blockchain enables numerous Metaverse applications. However, the blockchain consensus mechanism's high energy consumption and performance bottlenecks have become an impediment to the green and sustainable development of the Metaverse. To tackle this challenge, we propose a lightweight consensus service framework that amplifies the throughput of the multi-chain system while concurrently mitigating its energy consumption. Specifically, we first establish a reputation rating system by designing a set of reputation rating and bonus-penalty rules. These rules efficiently evaluate the credibility of nodes in the multichain and optimally select the consensus node group, thereby streamlining the consensus procedure with security guarantees. Next, we incorporate the rating system into the proposed framework by constructing transaction processing workflows in both single-chain and cross-chain consensus scenarios. Additionally, we analyze the framework's performance in terms of throughput, transaction latency, and energy consumption. The testing experiments demonstrate that the proposed framework significantly enhances performance compared with conventional blockchain systems, specifically a 48.7% improvement in throughput, a 56% reduction in transaction latency, and a 35% reduction in energy consumption.