Potential Applicability of Distributed Ledger to Wireless Networking Technologies

Abstract

The decentralized nature of existing and future wireless network topologies has opened some unique opportunities for DLT to play a role in communications. In this column, we have reviewed the basic operation of a consensus mechanism, as well as the current trend of a DLT-based security model that is particularly important for loT. We further point out that, beyond application layer and security, DLT also has potential in other aspects of wireless networking such as computing and radio connectivity. Specifically, we see DLT as a perfect tool that should be leveraged to realize fog -RAN, as the consensus mechanism of DLT may be used to maintain tight synchronization among computing and networking resources in different locations. On the other hand, DLT could also be employed to avoid potential collision that may occur in grant -free uplink access. In summary, we believe that DLT will gradually become a key tool to reshape communication systems in a wide range of aspects, covering not just applications and security, but also connectivity and computing.