Blockchain based secure relay scheme for space-terrestrial integrated networks

Abstract

The future 6G networks will integrates space and terrestrial networks to realize a fully connected world with extensive collaboration. However, how to build trust between multiple parties is a difficult problem for secure cooperation without a reliable third-party. Blockchain is a promising technology to solve this problem by converting the trust between multi-parties to the trust to the common shared data. Several works have proposed to apply the incentive mechanism in blockchain to encourage effective cooperation, but how to evaluate the cooperation performance and avoid breach of contract is not discussed. In this paper, a secure relay scheme is proposed based on the consortium blockchain system composed by different operators. In particular, smart contract checks the integrity of the message based on RSA accumulator, and executes transactions automatically when the message is delivered successfully. Detailed procedures are introduced for both uplink and downlink relay. Implementation based on Hyper-ledger Fabric proves the effectiveness of the proposed scheme and shows that the complexity of the scheme is low enough for practical deployment.