Blockchain as a Complementary Technology for the Internet of Things: A Survey

Abstract

Blockchain is a new technology resulting from a continuous research on consensus mechanisms to ensure the integrity of a distributed shared replica. It represents a data structure built on a hash function and distributed among the various participants according to previously agreed consensus rules. This work aims to carry out a comprehensive survey of the consensus mechanism that forms the heart of blockchain technology and its suitability for the Internet of Things. It begins by explaining blockchain technology from a historical and technical point of view before approaching the different philosophical approaches within the consensus mechanism, their disadvantage, and their suitability for the IoT sector.