Blockchain-based distributed consensus system architecture for cooperative vehicle-infrastructure sensing

This paper proposes a distributed architecture for cooperative vehicle-infrastructure sensing, leveraging blockchain and sensing-communication consensus system to empower intelligent connected vehicles. The architecture comprises three layers: a perception layer, an edge control layer, and a cloud computing layer. The perception layer consists of distributed heterogeneous sensors continuously collecting panoramic environmental data, which are then authenticated and stored on the blockchain. The edge control layer, deployed roadside, is responsible for local data fusion, modeling, and closed-loop control. The cloud computing layer, formed by a cluster of consortium blockchain nodes, performs decision-making analysis on global data and optimizes models. These three layers collaborate through a hierarchical blockchain consensus mechanism. Separate chains record outputs from the sensing, edge control, and cloud computing layers, respectively, and these are then merged into a unified and immutable main chain. Security encryption and economic incentives are integrated throughout the system to ensure its security, trustworthiness, and sustainability. This innovative architecture fuses blockchain and sensing technology, creating a distributed platform for cooperative vehicle-infrastructure sensing. The platform achieves a division of labor among wide-area perception, edge control, and cloud-based decision-making, significantly enhancing sensing capabilities, security, scalability, and decision-making accuracy. This provides new momentum for the development of intelligent transportation systems.