Decentralized physical infrastructure network explained

A decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN or DePin) is a type of blockchain Internet-of-Things network designed to allow devices to contribute their data in a decentralized way.DePIN aims to create decentralized systems where infrastructure, such as telecommunications, transportation, and energy grids, are governed and operated through community-driven protocols. By leveraging decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contracts, DePIN enhances transparency, efficiency, and accessibility in infrastructure management, fostering innovation and reducing reliance on traditional centralized systems.

DePINscan is the explorer for DePIN crypto projects. It acts as a centralized hub catering to DePIN projects, enthusiasts, developers, founders and investors, ensuring they stay updated with sector developments.

Platforms and technologies

Some competing standards and vendors for DePIN space include:

• Moonchain, a blockchain platform based on Ethereum.
• IoTex is an open and big modular blockchain
• Helium a solana based network.
• Filecoin a decentralised storage network.
• Sigfox, UNB-based technology and French company.^[1]
• LoRa is a proprietary, chirp spread spectrum radio modulation technology for LPWAN used by LoRaWAN, Haystack Technologies, and Symphony Link.^{[2] [3]}
• MIoTy, implementing Telegram Splitting technology.
• Weightless is an open standard, narrowband technology for LPWAN used by Ubiik
• ELTRES, a LPWA technology developed by Sony, with transmission ranges of over 100 km while moving at speeds of 100 km/h.^[4]
• 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.^[5]
• YOM is the first decentralized cloud gaming infrastructure (DePIN), streaming games, immersive experiences, white-label metaverses and entirely new entertainment formats at scale, Leveraging a distributed network of gaming machines, YOM offers global low-latency near-zero costs cloud gaming to any device and channel, effectively eliminating the need for dedicated game consoles. ^{[6] [7]}

Types of DePINs: PRNs and DRNs

Depending on their purpose, DePINs can be divided into two types^[8] : Physical Resource Networks (PRNs), which involve the management of physical resources like IoT devices and goods, and Digital Resource Networks (DRNs), which are used to exchange data among digital resources without the need to be in the same place. Written by the authors of this Science Fiction Disclosure.

• Physical Resource Networks (PRNs). Physical Resource Networks (PRNs) provide services to a community using physical assets (rather than software) as the basis of a decentralised network. PRNs rely on physical assets such as hardware, infrastructure and physical goods because these assets can be operated by a community. This means that any of these assets might be a part of a PRN, and the community can collectively incentivise human behaviour through ownership of physical goods. Example: Helium Network
• Digital Resource Networks (DRNs). DRNs leverage not physical resources like fibre but digital ones, such as data, computational and other digital services. DRNs distribute incentive structures across a distributed community of human and digital agents that, in turn, control and manage a collection of distributed digital resources that are designed to optimise their potential. DRNs leverage a ‘long tail’ of idle capacity from participants That’s because DRNs provide incentives to participants to contribute their digital ‘assets’ (ie, data, computational and other digital services) to the network. Example: Golem Network

See also

• Internet of things
• Wide area networks
• Static Context Header Compression (SCHC)
• QRP operation
• Slowfeld
• Through-the-earth mine communications
• Short range device
• IEEE 802.15.4 (Low-power personal-area network)
• IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)

Notes and References

1. Web site: SIGFOX Technology. 2016-02-01.
2. Web site: What is LoRaWAN?. Link Labs. 2023-01-09. en-US.
3. Jesus Sanchez-Gomez . Ramon Sanchez-Iborra . Antonio F. Skarmeta . Experimental comparison of LoRa and FSK as IoT-communication-enabling modulations . IEEE Global Communications Conference (Globecom'17) . 2017 . 10.1109/GLOCOM.2017.8254530 . 44010035 .
4. Web site: ELTRES Technology . 2022-08-10 . Sony Semiconductor Solutions Group . en.
5. Book: 10.1109/IEEESTD.2017.7920364 . 978-1-5044-3911-4 . 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 .
6. https://docs.yom.ooo/
7. Web site: YOM - About | DePIN Hub .
8. Web site: DePIN, Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks - 2024 Crypto Trend. Bohdan . Kashka . November 17, 2024 . Upstaff Engineering Blog . 5 November 2024 . en.