Blockchain-based Digital Twins. Requirements and Design Decisions for the Data Storage

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

1.1 Background

1.2 Problem Statement

1.3 Scope and Delimitation

1.4 Research Method

1.5 Structure of the Thesis

2 Theoretical Background

2.1 Digital Twin

2.1.1 Origin, Definition, and Characteristics of Digital Twins

2.1.2 Underlying Technologies

2.1.3 Data Storage in Digital Twins

2.1.4 Benefits and Application Areas

2.2 Blockchain

2.2.1 Foundations of the Blockchain Technology

2.2.2 Different Blockchain Configurations

2.3 Blockchain-based Digital Twins

2.3.1 Rationale for Combining Blockchains and Digital Twins

2.3.2 Benefits

2.3.3 State of the Art

3 Methodology

3.1 Systematic Literature Review and Classification

3.2 Elaboration of Requirements for the Digital Twin Data Storage

3.2.1 Review of the Distribution of Data-related Properties

3.2.2 Expert Interviews

3.3 Evaluation of the Suitability of Blockchain-based Digital Twins

3.4 Development of Design Decisions

4 Research Results

4.1 Taxonomy for the Classification of Data-related Properties in Digital Twins

4.1.1 Scope

4.1.2 Data Properties

4.1.3 Data Collection and Communication

4.1.4 Storage and Usage

4.2 Requirements for the Data Storage in Digital Twins

4.2.1 Requirements Derived from Classified Data-related Properties

4.2.2 Requirements Derived from Industry Expert Interviews

5 Discussion

5.1 RQ1: Classification of Data-related Properties in Digital Twins

5.2 RQ2: Requirements for the Data Storage in Digital Twins

5.3 RQ3: Suitability of the Blockchain Technology for Storing Digital Twin Data

5.4 RG: Design Decisions for the Blockchain-based Storage of Digital Twin Data

5.5 Critical Reflexion of the Overall Approach

6 Conclusion

6.1 Summary

6.2 Limitations

6.3 Outlook

Research Objectives and Themes

This thesis aims to address the research gap regarding appropriate data storage solutions for digital twins by investigating the intersection of blockchain technology and the digital twin concept. The primary goal is to develop design decisions for the blockchain-based storage of digital twin data by first classifying data-related properties and determining specific requirements for storage.

• Classification of data-related properties in digital twins via taxonomy development.
• Identification of requirements for digital twin data storage through literature review and expert interviews.
• Evaluation of blockchain technology suitability for storing digital twin data.
• Development of blockchain design decisions tailored to specific digital twin requirements.
• Critical reflection on the interplay between digital twins, blockchain, and data management.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 Introduction: Introduces the relevance of digital twins, identifies the research gap regarding data storage, and defines the goals of the thesis.

2 Theoretical Background: Provides foundational knowledge on digital twins, blockchain technology, and their state-of-the-art combination.

3 Methodology: Details the mixed-method research approach, including the literature review, taxonomy development, and expert interviews.

4 Research Results: Presents the developed taxonomy of data-related properties and the derived storage requirements for digital twins.

5 Discussion: Critically evaluates the classification, requirements, and the suitability of blockchain technology for digital twin data storage.

6 Conclusion: Summarizes the main findings, limitations, and provides an outlook for future research needs.

Keywords

Digital Twin, Blockchain, Data Storage, Industry 4.0, Taxonomy, Data-related Properties, Distributed Ledger Technology, Requirements Analysis, System Architecture, Decentralization, Immutability, Data Management, Industrial Applications, Consensus Mechanism, Process Optimization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

The core focus is to investigate and determine how blockchain-based solutions can effectively handle data storage for digital twins in industrial environments.

What are the central thematic areas?

The central themes include digital twin definitions and characteristics, blockchain technology fundamentals, requirements for data storage, and the intersection of these fields.

What is the primary research goal?

The primary research goal is the development of design decisions for the blockchain-based storage of digital twin data.

Which scientific methodology is utilized?

A mixed-method approach is used, consisting of a systematic literature review to create a taxonomy and semi-structured expert interviews for qualitative content analysis.

What topics are discussed within the main part?

The main part covers the classification of data-related properties in digital twins, specific storage requirements defined by literature and industry, and a suitability analysis of blockchain configurations.

Which keywords characterize this work?

Keywords include Digital Twin, Blockchain, Data Storage, Industrial IoT, Taxonomy, and Process Optimization.

How does the work address the scalability challenge inherent in blockchains?

The thesis discusses trade-offs, such as block size adjustment, off-chain storage solutions, and alternative ledger structures like DAGs, to mitigate scalability issues.

What is the author's stance on the general suitability of blockchain for digital twins?

The author concludes that while blockchain is not a panacea, it is highly suitable for scenarios involving multiple untrusted parties and specific requirements for data traceability and security.

What specific data-related properties are classified?

The classification includes 19 dimensions grouped into four meta-dimensions: Scope, Data Properties, Data Collection & Communication, and Storage & Usage.