Last year, I embarked on an exciting pet project: creating a blockchain specifically optimized to run on microcontrollers with radio communication capabilities. Over the past few months, I successfully designed and implemented this blockchain, which I named MoonBlokz (www.moonblokz.com). In this series of articles, I will provide a comprehensive overview of the algorithms used and the implementation decisions I made throughout the process.
Before jumping into design and implementation, some fundamental questions should be discussed:
The core idea of blockchains is to establish a payment and accounting system that operates independently of the current centralized and regulated financial infrastructure. However, existing blockchains still rely on high-speed internet as a central infrastructure. MoonBlokz, on the other hand, is designed to operate using small nodes, potentially powered by solar energy, that communicate solely through radio signals. This unique approach eliminates the need for high-speed internet, making it ideal for remote or resource-constrained environments. My goal is not to build another worldwide network but to develop the technology to create an economy where nothing is available.
To illustrate the possibilities, I outline three potential use cases for MoonBlokz. While these may not be the best examples, they help to understand the system’s capabilities:
1. Payment between autonomous devices in space
The first example stems from our bright future. In the coming decades, we may utilize the resources available in space, with various automated and non-automated agents collaborating on tasks such as mining asteroids.
These devices will operate far from any central infrastructure on Earth, aiming to establish a functioning economy that facilitates task sharing and revenue distribution. A lightweight blockchain could serve as the foundation for this economy by providing a local contracting and payment infrastructure. While I recognize this is a moon-shot vision, I believe large-scale space utilization won’t be possible without functioning local economies.
2. Local payment network for a town
The second use case draws inspiration from a potentially dark future. One of my favorite books and TV series is The Expanse. In one of the episodes, Amos Burton states:
Thing is, we’re humans. We’re tribal. More settled things are, the bigger your tribe is. All the people in your gang, or all the people in your country. All the ones on your planet. Then the churn comes, and the tribe gets small again.
Today, we live in large tribes and rely heavily on centralized infrastructure, particularly regarding payments. However, if something were to happen that forced smaller tribes — like towns or cities — to organize independently, how would we conduct financial transactions? We would no longer be able to use our credit cards. Are we to revert to using attractive shells as currency?
By utilizing a local blockchain where all (or many) households in a town function as nodes, we could create a financial infrastructure without relying on a central authority.
3. Payments & Contracting in large rural construction site
The third example is more grounded-to-earth. Even today, there are many instances of companies collaborating in rural areas to facilitate transactions. For example, in a large-scale construction project, automated devices or human workers can use a local blockchain to manage their contracts and payments efficiently with minimal administrative effort.
After examining the use cases, let’s define our objectives. To clarify my goals, I compiled the following list of requirements to guide the project:
To define my requirements for supported hardware, I also gathered the following assumptions:
That’s all for now. In our next session, I’ll dive into the technologies and architectural concepts to use. You can read it here.
Author: Péter Sallai
Source: https://medium.com/@peter.sallai/moonblokz-series-part-i-building-a-hyper-local-blockchain-2f385b763c65
