FL-DApp: Open-source decentralized application for reputation in O-RAN federated learning

Operational Federated Learning (FL) across multiple operators in Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) settings demands trustworthy coordination. We introduce FL-DApp, a blockchain-based, open-source Decentralized Application (DApp) for lightweight, reputation-driven client selection. Aligned with the O-RAN architecture, FL-DApp exposes a minimal, portable on-chain interface on Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) networks, supported by off-chain adapters that (i) register participants, (ii) collect and verify per-round validation metrics, and (iii) compute and store reputations. Model training and aggregation remain off-chain to minimize computational overhead. To support reproducibility and adoption, FL-DApp includes a scriptable workflow and generates structured outputs and CSV logs. The reference implementation targets the Polygon Amoy testnet and is portable across EVM-compatible layers. We evaluate registration, metric submission, reputation update, and finalization under realistic conditions. Around 86% of batched reputation commits are confirmed within seven seconds, enabling seconds-scale cycles aligned with the non-real-time RAN Intelligent Controller (Non-RT RIC) in the Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework. FL-DApp thus offers a practical and reproducible foundation for transparent, decentralized FL in multi-operator O-RAN environments.

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Publication Details

Journal
SoftwareX
Published
2026-02-16
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2026.102554
Primary Topic
Privacy-Preserving Technologies in Data
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

FL-DApp: Open-source decentralized application for reputation in O-RAN federated learning

Farhana Javed, Engin Zeydan, Josep Mangues-Bafalluy
SoftwareX
Privacy-Preserving Technologies in Data
article

FL-DApp: Open-source decentralized application for reputation in O-RAN federated learning

Farhana Javed, Engin Zeydan, Josep Mangues-Bafalluy
article en

Abstract

Operational Federated Learning (FL) across multiple operators in Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) settings demands trustworthy coordination. We introduce FL-DApp, a blockchain-based, open-source Decentralized Application (DApp) for lightweight, reputation-driven client selection. Aligned with the O-RAN architecture, FL-DApp exposes a minimal, portable on-chain interface on Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) networks, supported by off-chain adapters that (i) register participants, (ii) collect and verify per-round validation metrics, and (iii) compute and store reputations. Model training and aggregation remain off-chain to minimize computational overhead. To support reproducibility and adoption, FL-DApp includes a scriptable workflow and generates structured outputs and CSV logs. The reference implementation targets the Polygon Amoy testnet and is portable across EVM-compatible layers. We evaluate registration, metric submission, reputation update, and finalization under realistic conditions. Around 86% of batched reputation commits are confirmed within seven seconds, enabling seconds-scale cycles aligned with the non-real-time RAN Intelligent Controller (Non-RT RIC) in the Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework. FL-DApp thus offers a practical and reproducible foundation for transparent, decentralized FL in multi-operator O-RAN environments.

SoftwareXVol. 34
Centre Tecnologic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (ES)
Openalex Percentile: Top 56%
Privacy-Preserving Technologies in Data
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