Efficient incremental hash chain with probabilistic filter-based method to update blockchain light nodes

Abstract

In blockchain, ensuring integrity of data when updating distributed ledgers is a challenging and very fundamental process. Most of blockchain networks use Merkle tree to verify the authenticity of data received from other peers on the network. However, creating Merkle tree for each block in the network and composing Merkle branch for every transaction verification request are time-consuming process requiring heavy computations. Moreover, sending these data through the network generates a lot of traffic. Therefore, we proposed an updated mechanism that uses incremental hash chain with probabilistic filter to verify block data, provide a proof of data integrity and efficiently update blockchain light nodes. In this article, we prove that our model provides better performance and less required computations than Merkle tree while maintaining the same security level.

Keywords

• merkle tree
• blockchain
• hash chain
• probabilistic filter
• hash function
• integrity