Optimization of Ethereum transaction and block delivery performance

Abstract

Blockchain is a type of distributed ledger. It is a chain of blocks. Each block contains a series of transactions. Each transaction is for a value transfer or a smart contract execution. The main purpose of the blockchain system is to achieve consensus on transaction sequence without a controller. The transaction processing capability of the blockchain is influenced by the propagation time of a block in the network -- the shorter the block propagation time, the better the transaction processing capability of the blockchain system, and the easier that system can reach consensus. Ethereum is the second-generation blockchain. It supports Turing complete smart contracts. Although many factors will affect the performance of the Ethereum system, the planned future work of the project is to optimise the transaction/block broadcasting process in the Ethereum peer-to-peer network.