Ouroboros AutoSyn: Time Based Permissionless Synchrony Model for PoS

TL;DR

Ouroboros AutoSyn introduces a time-based permissionless synchrony model for proof-of-stake blockchains that eliminates the need for a central clock by leveraging real-world time and adaptive round lengths.

Contribution

It proposes a novel real-time based round model for PoS protocols that adapts to network conditions without relying on a central synchrony assumption.

Findings

Achieves dynamic-availability in permissionless PoS without a central clock

Incorporates real-world time to determine protocol rounds

Adjusts round length based on network conditions

Abstract

Blockchain as a promising technology is gaining its popularity ever since proof-of-work based Bitcoin came to the world. Nevertheless, Bitcoin achieves consensus at an expensive cost of energy. Proof-of-stake is one of the solutions for such a problem. Participants of PoS protocols achieve dynamic-availability in permissionless settings. Parties can join and leave the protocol at their will without notifying others. However, such protocol relies heavily on a central clock, providing the function of synchrony by collecting the finish status of every honest participant. In our protocol, the global function maintains the round information for each participant no longer needed. We analyze and modify the round into real-time based round model. Message delivery delay is also taken into consideration of the round length. However, participant need the connection of a real-world time global clock which is crucial to calculate the current round. And round length also is adjusted due to the changing network situation at the start of every new epoch.