T-PBFT: An EigenTrust-based practical Byzantine fault tolerance consensus algorithm

Blockchain with these characteristics of decentralized structure, transparent and credible, time-series and immutability, has been considering as a promising technology. Consensus algorithm as one of the core techniques of blockchain directly affects the scalability of blockchain systems. Existing probabilistic finality blockchain consensus algorithms such as PoW, PoS, suffer from power consumptions and low efficiency; while absolute finality blockchain consensus algorithms such as PBFT, HoneyBadgerBFT, could not meet the scalability requirement in a large-scale network. In this paper, we propose a novel optimized practical Byzantine fault tolerance consensus algorithm based on EigenTrust model, namely T-PBFT, which is a multi-stage consensus algorithm. It evaluates node trust by the transactions between nodes so that the high quality of nodes in the network will be selected to construct a consensus group. To reduce the probability of view change, we propose to replace a single primary node with a primary group. By group signature and mutual supervision, we can enhance the robustness of the primary group further. Finally, we analyze T-PBFT and compare it with the other Byzantine fault tolerant consensus algorithms. Theoretical analysis shows that our T-PBFT can optimize the Byzantine fault-tolerant rate, reduce the probability of view change and communication complexity.