In the world of blockchain technology, a consensus mechanism is a critical component that maintains the integrity of the network. Raindrop protocol is a self-developed consensus for the Transformers chain.

In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the TFSC Consensus Mechanism(Raindrop Protocol) and how it works.

However, before we proceed, let’s take a closer look at the term consensus mechanism.

Consensus Mechanism

A consensus mechanism is a protocol that governs how nodes on a blockchain network reach an agreement on the validity of data. It is a critical component that maintains the integrity of the network.

Just in case you do not know what a node is, A blockchain node refers to a device-stakeholder pair that participates in running the protocol software of a decentralized network.

Nodes are the custodians of a blockchain. They keep all copies of the ledger in sync, storing encrypted data of past transactions while taking on new blocks for scalable growth.

Without a consensus mechanism, the blockchain network would be prone to problems, such as double-spending, that could compromise the entire system’s integrity.

They built raindrop protocol to replace other consensus protocols and better adapt to the working mode of TFSC multi-block producers processing blocks in parallel.

Other consensus mechanisms

POW vs POS

POW consensus requires a large amount of energy to solve mathematical problems, which means, only the miners with stronger computing power have a higher probability of success.

While in

POS consensus, verifiers need to hold a certain number of tokens (or staking), and those with more tokens (or staking) also have a higher advantage.

TFSC decided to find a new balance point that will meet the final consensus where all nodes process blocks in parallel.

This was how the Raindrop protocol came into existence.

This means that miners/verifiers no longer need to worry about high energy consumption or having a higher staking rate before they can earn.

Characteristics of Raindrop protocol.

1. Increased Security over double spending and 51% attacks.

Just in case you do not know what double spending is, double-spending is the risk that a cryptocurrency can be used twice or more. This is possible if a blockchain is altered and specific instructions are entered into that blockchain. The same goes for 51% attack.

It is an attack on a blockchain by a group of miners who control more than 50% of the network’s mining hash rate. It is more like owning 51% or the majority of the shares of a company. The highest shareholder can automatically override the decisions of the board of directors.

In blockchain technology, owning 51% of the nodes on the network automatically gives the controlling parties the power to alter the blockchain. This power grants the controller the access to:

• Prevent new transactions from gaining confirmations.
• Allows them to halt payments between some or all users.
• Reverse transactions which could also lead to double-spending, etc.

The raindrop protocol is built in a way that it can not be altered and miners can not gain access to a 51% hash-rate thereby, preventing security issues like this.

2. Scalability
It is absolutely normal for a network to experience delays when there is an increasing number of users. However, these delays can be so much that some networks tend to shut down and that can be so annoying right?

Well, this is different with Raindrop Protocol because, It can support a higher throughput and more participants, without reducing the level of decentralization and security during this process.

3. Fairness

The Raindrop Protocol removes the option of high stakes and users with higher computational power thereby giving everyone an equal opportunity to mine. Also, they adopt discrete random numbers, which ensures that every participant has equal opportunities to receive network incentives and encourages nodes to comply with TFSC code rules.

4. Verifiability

The Raindrop Protocol implore the use of a verifiable random function (VRF). VRF is a cryptographic function that takes a series of inputs, computes them, and produces a pseudorandom output and proof of authenticity that can be verified by anyone.

Anyone can use verifiable random numbers to determine whether a new block is legal and whether the transactions in the block are valid.

5. Economic Efficiency

The Raindrop Protocol enables the validator to still have high processing capability in low-energy working environments, which can improve the economic efficiency of the entire system, allowing more nodes to participate in the system and receive corresponding incentives.

Raindrop Working Principle

The Raindrop Protocol is an algorithm that uses VRF to validate random numbers to select multiple block producers with the best available data status for block production, ensuring the fairness and transparency of the election process.

All nodes in the network verify whether the selection rules of block producers meet the requirements of random numbers. Throughout the consensus process, it is more like multiple raindrops falling into the water, and consensus is ultimately achieved through the continuous diffusion of ripples.

So, that is all I will be sharing on the Raindrop protocol.