UAV-integrated Blockchain-enabled Optimal Video Caching and Transcoding

The exponential increase in Internet traffic, especially video traffic, requires new techniques for fast and reliable content delivery. Caching popular content objects at the network nodes and transcoding the cached files based on user requirements have received significant attention. Although the major utilization of UAVs has been in the field of task offloading and surveillance, the incorporation of UAVs show considerable potential in caching and transcoding. However, storing content objects at the edge nodes raises security concern as they are more vulnerable compared to network servers. Blockchain technology has emerged as a probable solution to ensure authenticity and integrity in computer-based systems. This paper introduces a system model that integrates UAVs for improving video caching and transcoding as well as incorporates blockchain-enabled measures to enhance security. In this paper, the research problem is introduced as an optimization problem focusing on content transmission delay minimization from the edge nodes and UAVs. The findings and results presents the promising prospects for the integration of blockchain technology with UAV-based systems for improving the functionality and security, particularly when it is essential to minimize the response time and guarantee a high level of data protection.