Blockchain for Cyberphysical Systems: Challenges, Opportunities, and Applications

Blockchain technology has the potential to overcome challenges in the current cyber-physical system (CPS) environment, but it requires a comprehensive study to address scalability, delay, and resource consumption. This book will explore blockchain applications in smart grids, smart vehicles, supply chain, and IoT Data marketplaces and provide future research directions to improve its performance in CPS.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 310 pages
\n Publication date: 30 September 2020
\n Publisher: Artech House Publishers
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Blockchain (BC) technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with the physical world, offering a secure and decentralized platform for storing and sharing data. With its distributed structure, immutability, and security features, blockchain has gained widespread attention from practitioners and academics across various disciplines, including law, finance, and computer science. However, the application of blockchain in the context of cyber-physical systems (CPS) presents unique challenges that must be addressed.

In this book, we will delve into the world of blockchain for CPS, exploring its potential benefits and challenges. We will start by examining the current state of CPS and the existing solutions in the field. We will then outline the limitations of these solutions and identify the areas where blockchain can offer significant improvements.

One of the key features of blockchain that makes it an attractive solution for CPS is its ability to provide a decentralized and trustless platform for data storage and sharing. Unlike traditional centralized systems, blockchain does not rely on a single point of failure, making it highly resilient to cyber-attacks and data breaches. Additionally, its immutability feature ensures that once data is stored on the blockchain, it cannot be altered or deleted, providing a high level of transparency and accountability.

However, implementing blockchain in CPS is not a straightforward task. One of the major challenges is scalability, as the current infrastructure may not be able to handle the high volume of transactions and data storage required by blockchain. This can lead to delays and congestion, which can negatively impact the performance of CPS.

Another challenge is resource consumption, as blockchain requires significant computational power and energy to operate. This can be particularly problematic in resource-constrained environments, such as smart grids and IoT devices. Additionally, the lack of standardization in blockchain protocols and technologies can make it difficult for different systems and devices to communicate and collaborate effectively.

To overcome these challenges, researchers and practitioners are exploring various applications of blockchain in CPS. One promising area is smart grids, where blockchain can be used to improve the efficiency and reliability of power distribution. By creating a decentralized and transparent power distribution network, blockchain can help reduce fraud, improve grid stability, and enable consumers to participate in the energy market.

In the realm of smart vehicles, blockchain can be used to enhance vehicle security, reduce fraud, and improve the efficiency of vehicle-to-vehicle communication. By creating a secure and decentralized platform for vehicle data sharing, blockchain can enable real-time tracking, remote control, and automated driving, making transportation safer and more efficient.

In the supply chain industry, blockchain can be used to improve transparency, reduce fraud, and improve traceability. By creating a decentralized and transparent supply chain network, blockchain can help reduce the risk of counterfeiting, improve supply chain efficiency, and enable faster and more accurate product tracking.

In the field of IoT data marketplaces, blockchain can be used to create a secure and decentralized platform for data sharing and monetization. By creating a platform that allows users to securely share their data with third parties while also earning rewards for their contributions, blockchain can enable the development of new applications and services that rely on IoT data.

Despite the many potential benefits of blockchain in CPS, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. One of the major challenges is the lack of standardization in blockchain protocols and technologies, which can make it difficult for different systems and devices to communicate and collaborate effectively. Additionally, there is a need for more research and development in areas such as blockchain security, scalability, and energy efficiency, to ensure that blockchain can be fully integrated into CPS without compromising its integrity and security.

In conclusion, blockchain has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with the physical world, offering a secure and decentralized platform for storing and sharing data. While implementing blockchain in CPS presents unique challenges, there are many promising applications that can leverage its unique features to improve the efficiency, reliability, and security of cyber-physical systems. By continuing to research and develop blockchain technologies, we can expect to see more innovative and groundbreaking applications in the years to come.

\n Weight: 684g\n
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 26 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781630817831\n
Edition number: Unabridged ed\n