Adoption of Blockchain With 5G Networks for Industrial IoT: Recent Advances, Challenges, and Potential Solutions

Mohammad Zubair Khan,Manpreet Kaur,Shikha Gupta,Abdullah Alsaeedi

doi:10.1109/access.2021.3138754

Abstract

It has been proven that Internet of Things (IoT) platforms can improve the performance and efficiency of a wide range of processes. With the acceptance of IoT as a major part of the technology of Industry 4.0, the notion of leveraging the Internet in industries to enable automation and reconfigure existing industrial processes has greatly evolved. By introducing smart technology and intelligent processes, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is committed to bringing high operational efficiency, enhanced productivity, and effective management to industrial assets. Despite this, the reliance of IIoT on central architecture presents numerous challenges, including the security and maintenance of smart devices, privacy issues owing to third-party participation, and massive computations conducted by a central entity, all of which prevent its widespread adoption in businesses. Emerging blockchain technologies have the potential to transform IIoT platforms and applications. A distributed and decentralized approach followed by blockchain might offer interesting solutions to the challenges raised by IIoT. Furthermore, 5G networks are expected to deliver excellent solutions to meet the demands of decentralized systems, with a focus on application-specific vulnerabilities. Blockchain and IIoT, enabled by 5G, is a viable option to fully explore the potential of contemporary industry. In this context, this article analyzes and examines recent achievements to highlight the major obstacles in blockchain–IIoT convergence and presents a framework for potential solutions. A well-organized literature review by analyzing the existing work in three primary areas: blockchain consensus algorithms used in existing IoT and IIoT applications, blockchain for 5G-enabled IoT networks, and blockchain in industry have been performed, with major findings summarized in each area. Directions for the future are also provided and intend to assist researchers in understanding the full potential of these innovations.

Highlights

T HE Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of smart devices and machines that are able to gather data from their surroundings via sensing devices, communicate with other devices in the web, and respond automatically without the need for human contact [1]
We provide multiple reasons why Industrial IoT should be coupled with blockchain
The presented work provided an extensive understanding of the privacy issues of blockchain components that will aid in the development of more practical blockchain-enabled solutions for Industrial IoT

Summary

Introduction

T HE Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of smart devices and machines that are able to gather data from their surroundings via sensing devices, communicate with other devices in the web, and respond automatically without the need for human contact [1]. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is an IoT-enabled industrial production system that delivers productivity and financial benefits relating to system implementation, ease of maintenance, growth capability, and interoperability [2]. IIoT could be formally defined as follows [3]: “Industrial IoT (IIoT) consists of a network of smart and extensively coupled industrial elements that are used to attain high production rates while cutting operational expenses through real-time monitoring, optimal management and control of industrial processes, assets, and administrative time.”. Industry 4.0, IIoT, and IoT are all intercon-

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