Trust Model Concept for IoT Blockchain Applications as Part of the Digital Transformation of Metrology

In this work, a secure architecture to send data from an Internet of Things (IoT) device to a blockchain-based supply chain is presented. As is well known, blockchains can process critical information with high security, but the authenticity and accuracy of the stored and processed information depend primarily on the reliability of the information sources. When this information requires acquisition from uncontrolled environments, as is the normal situation in the real world, it may be, intentionally or unintentionally, erroneous. The entities that provide this external information, called Oracles, are critical to guarantee the quality and veracity of the information generated by them, thus affecting the subsequent blockchain-based applications. In the case of IoT devices, there are no effective single solutions in the literature for achieving a secure implementation of an Oracle that is capable of sending data generated by a sensor to a blockchain. In order to fill this gap, in this paper, we present a holistic solution that enables blockchains to verify a set of security requirements in order to accept information from an IoT Oracle. The proposed solution uses Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) to address the security requirements of integrity and device trustworthiness, as well as a novel Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) based on a blockchain for authenticity, traceability, and data freshness. The solution is then implemented on Ethereum and evaluated regarding the fulfillment of the security requirements and time response. The final design has some flexibility limitations that will be approached in future work.

“…For the implementation of trusted hardware, the Oracle requires a comprehensive approach as each step in the data flow must be secured in order to trust the final data [ 25 ].…”

Section: Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward Sensor Measurement Reliability in Blockchains

Gómez-Marín,

Parrilla,

Tejero López

et al. 2023

“…Post-market activities are connected to all actions after the customer has purchased the product (verification, maintenance, repair, etc.). OIML states that digital transformation, considering the whole lifecycle of the product, could be successfully performed only if it is based on the so-called FAIR+T principle: data that is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable, and Traceable to the SI [ 14 , 17 ].…”

Section: State Of the Art—traditional Measurement Traceability Pyramidmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this is an issue inherent to the “proof-of-work” consensus used, e.g., for Bitcoin Blockchain. In our case we would avoid this kind of approach; i.e., some other kind of consensus type could be used, like “proof-of-authority” or “proof-of-stake”, as explained in more detail in [ 14 ].…”

Section: State Of the Art—digital Transformation Of Metrologymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Blockchain-Based Concept for Digital Transformation of Traceability Pyramid for Electrical Energy Measurement

Miličević¹,

Tolić²,

Vinko³

et al. 2022

Self Cite

Digital transformation of metrology is a holistic process that was started formally by the Joint Statement of Intent “On the digital transformation in the international scientific and quality infrastructure” signed by major metrology organisations in March 2022. With the digital transformation of metrology in motion, the questions of a seamless transition to digital representation while ensuring adherence to all the requirements of digital representation and maintaining a sustainable framework for future operations are just some of the challenges faced. To tackle these challenges, also within the concept of “more electrical world” (MEW), one technology is demonstrating high potential applicability as a possible candidate solution—blockchain technology, with its critical underlying properties (e.g., immutability, decentralisation, etc.) being fully compliant with the requirements of digital representation in metrology. Accordingly, this paper presents a blockchain-based concept for the digital transformation of the traceability pyramid for electrical energy measurement. The concept is developed in accordance with the goals of the Metroracle project. Based on the analyzed and presented state-of-the-art, the main contribution of the paper is the comprehensiveness of the concept, which encompasses the whole pyramid and describes all relevant processes and responsibilities of all stakeholders: measurement instrument (MI) owners, certificate issuers (National Accreditation Body (NAB), National laboratory (NL), Reference laboratory (RL)), MI manufacturers/developers, MI installers. The transformed pyramid is defined by Croatian metrology laws and regulations, but with smaller adjustments, it is applicable to other EU countries as well, and also to the traceability of other physical quantities, i.e., not to electrical energy only. Possible legal and technical issues are identified (amount of data, machine-readable standards and regulations, ensuring limited access, legal relevance of digital signature) and corresponding solutions presented, as well as further steps in our research and development within the Metroracle project.

“…When traceability management and visualization are implemented as a system, high system availability and elimination of single points of failure are also required. Therefore, blockchain has attracted attention as a useful tool in the field of metrology [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Blockchains can be broadly classified into private and public chains based on the presence or absence of an administrator.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traceability Management System Using Blockchain Technology and Cost Estimation in the Metrology Field

Takegawa

Furuichi

2023

Metrological traceability is essential to ensure the reliability of calibration tests. Calibration certificates usually include information on only one upper-level reference standard. As metrological traceability is multi-layered, generally there is no method available for end users to instantly confirm the traceability from the reference standard to a primary standard. This study focuses on the Ethereum blockchain, which has both tamper resistance and high availability, as a digital data management method. To improve the transparency and reliability of calibration tests, a smart contract that traces back to the primary standard is proposed. Consequently, it is confirmed that end users can instantly obtain traceability information. In addition, the execution of smart contracts requires transaction fees. Here, the calculation of the transaction fees is organized, and the traceability management system is discussed from a cost-effective perspective in the field of metrology.