Blockchain-Based Intelligence Networking for Cooperative Positioning Towards Future Internet of Vehicles

Vehicular Global Positioning System (GPS) is an essential component in the advancement of the Internet of Vehicles (IoV) and Intelligence Networking (IN). However, the low accuracy of current GPS remains a significant obstacle to achieving lane-level positioning. Although existing Cooperative Positioning (CP) approaches have managed to improve vehicle positioning accuracy to some degree, there are still obstacles to be overcome in terms of enhancing the timeliness and security. In this paper, we introduce a novel Blockchain-based Cooperative Mechanism in a Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) environment (BCM-CAV), aimed at enhancing the positioning error, timeliness, and safety of the CP. In the BCM-CAV framework, the model of trajectory positioning error is designed using multiple Traffic Signs (TS) as the reference points. This model uses a Dueling Neural Network (DNN) architecture to correct the positioning of CAVs. Furthermore, We devise a model for the average position trajectory error of multiple vehicles that aims to minimize positioning errors for common vehicles traveling within the same region and road segment. The BCM-CAV framework encompasses a blockchain subsystem and an IoV subsystem, thereby establishing a connection between common vehicles, CAVs, and Road Side Units (RSUs). We design different smart contracts that satisfy the BCM-CAV sharing mechanism to guarantee secure and efficient information exchange. Finally, simulation results demonstrate that the BCM-CAV enhances the accuracy of vehicle positioning, the security of information exchange, timeliness, and reduces the computational cost.