Decentralized physical infrastructure network

Decentralized physical infrastructure networks (DePINs) are a decentralised network architecture using blockchain technology.^[1] Physical Resource Networks are used to collectively operate physical infrastructure like wireless networks, energy grids, and transportation systems, while Digital Resource Networks manage digital resources such as bandwidth and computing power.^[2] Participants can earn rewards by contributing data or services to the network.^[3]

Platforms and technologies

Some competing standards and vendors for DePIN space include:

Filecoin, a decentralised storage network.
Sigfox, UNB-based technology and French company.^[4]
LoRa is a proprietary, chirp spread spectrum radio modulation technology for LPWAN used by LoRaWAN, Haystack Technologies, and Symphony Link.^[5]^[6]
MIoTy, implementing Telegram Splitting technology.
Weightless is an open standard, narrowband technology for LPWAN used by Ubiik.
IEEE 802.11ah, also known as Wi-Fi HaLow, is a low-power, wide-area implementation of 802.11 wireless networking standard using sub-gig frequencies.^[7]
DePINscan is the explorer for DePIN crypto projects. There are 321 DePIN Projects with a combined DePIN market cap of $18,306,157,903.

Types

Depending on their purpose, DePINs can be divided into two types. Physical Resource Networks rely on physical assets such as sensors and wireless networks. They operate at a local scale, and reward users for contributing data or network resources.^[8] Digital Resource Networks use digital assets such as bandwidth, computational resources or storage space, and encourage participants to contribute these resources to the network.^[9] They leverage a 'long tail' of idle capacity from participants.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ Lin et al. 2024, p. 91.
^ Lin et al. 2024, p. 94–96.
^ Lin et al. 2024, p. 98.
^ "SIGFOX Technology". Retrieved 2016-02-01.
^ "What is LoRaWAN?". Link Labs. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
^ Jesus Sanchez-Gomez; Ramon Sanchez-Iborra (2017). "Transmission Technologies Comparison for IoT Communications in Smart-Cities". GLOBECOM 2017 - 2017 IEEE Global Communications Conference. pp. 1–6. doi:10.1109/GLOCOM.2017.8254530. ISBN 978-1-5090-5019-2. S2CID 44010035.
^ IEEE Standard for Information technology--Telecommunications and information exchange between systems - Local and metropolitan area networks--Specific requirements - Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications Amendment 2: Sub 1 GHZ License Exempt Operation. doi:10.1109/IEEESTD.2017.7920364. ISBN 978-1-5044-3911-4.
^ Lin et al. 2024, p. 95.
^ Lin et al. 2024, p. 96.