How blockchains can improve measuring instruments regulation and control

Abstract

In the last years, measuring instruments have become quite complex due to the integration of embedded hardware and software components and the increasing aggregation of new features. Consequently, metrological regulation and control require more efforts from notified bodies, becoming slower and more expensive. In this work, we evaluate how blockchains can help to overcome such challenges. We propose a conceptual model for implementing measuring instruments in a distributed blockchain-based architecture, and compare it with traditional measuring instruments and distributed measuring models discussed in previous works. We also develop a security analysis, demonstrating that blockchains-based measuring systems can impact how measuring instruments are used in consumer relations, at the same time that improve security and simplify metrological regulation and control. At the end, we point out the main challenges, suggesting alternatives and potential research lines for future works.