A Time-Varying Graph-Based Dynamic Blockchain Sharding Scheme for Large-Scale Drone Networks

The integration of blockchain technology with the sixth generation (6G) networks offers a promising approach to enhance the reliability and trustworthiness of industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) systems. Since IIoT devices typically lack the capability to directly participate in blockchain consensus, drone networks offer a viable alternative by providing dynamic coverage and reducing dependence on fixed infrastructure such as centralized servers. Sharding is an effective method to improve the scalability of blockchain systems, yet existing sharding schemes overlook the complexity and dynamic nature of drone network topologies. These networks frequently experience changes due to drone mobility, task variations, and energy constraints, all of which can disrupt consensus communications. To address these challenges, we propose a time-varying graph-based blockchain sharding scheme (BSTVG) tailored for large-scale drone blockchain networks. The time-varying graph-based model captures the temporal dynamics of drone communications. We adopt an improved K-Means++ clustering algorithm that incorporates communication conditions to adapt network sharding. Additionally, we develop mechanisms for intra-shard consensus and cross-shard transaction processing. To accommodate node joins, exits, and significant topological changes, we introduce a slot–epoch coupling mechanism that dynamically adjusts the epoch length. We analyze the security of the proposed scheme and validate its performance through simulations. Experimental results demonstrate that our scheme not only enhances the throughput but also reduces energy consumption of the drone blockchain network.