In today's blockchain ecosystem, ZIL Token (Zilliqa) stands out for its unique technical architecture and efficient consensus mechanism. This article will deeply explore the key technologies of ZIL tokens, including weak subjectivity checkpoints, innovations in the consensus layer, and the block production and finalization process, to help readers better understand the operating principles of ZIL tokens.
Weakly subjective checkpoints
The ZQ2 version of the ZIL token introduces weak subjectivity checkpoints, a mechanism designed to enable newly added nodes to quickly synchronize to the network state. A checkpoint represents an irreversible and trusted block with the same level of trust as the genesis block. When nodes start up, they download the checkpoint's release state and block hash, which must be consistent with the state root in the corresponding block header. Based on the set of validators stored in this state, nodes can validate the headers of subsequent blocks, execute their transactions, and synchronize the state with the rest of the network.
This mechanism is also very useful for synchronization of light clients. The light client does not download the release state of the checkpoint block, but instead uses the eth_getProof RPC method to request the validator set stored in it and verify the proof against the checkpoint header.
Innovation at the Consensus Layer
The consensus layer of the ZIL token has undergone a series of improvements. In the ZQ1 version, a modified PBFT algorithm was implemented to reduce its authentication complexity by routing messages to the consensus leader and aggregating validator signatures. However, ZQ2 completely replaces PBFT with Pipelined Fast-HotStuff, an optimized variant of HotStuff.
Compared to PBFT, Pipelined Fast-HotStuff does not require expensive view-changing protocols when handling leader failures, nor does it have to wait for maximum network latency for leader rotation like Tendermint. HotStuff remains linear and responsive at the same time. Although this process requires 3 voting rounds instead of 2, a version of the pipeline called Chained HotStuff unifies it in a common voting round, leveraging the same message to represent the different stages of multiple views.
Block production and finalization
In Pipelined Fast-HotStuff, the current leader broadcasts a new block proposal and its parent block’s QC (Quality Proof). If the proposed block's view number is 1 greater than its QC's view number and is greater than or equal to the validator's local view number, the validator will consider the proposed block safe and hash the block it signed. The hope and view number are sent to the next leader.
The new leader collects votes from the supermajority to form a new QC and propose the next block. If a validator does not receive a secure block proposal before timeout, they will send a new view message to the next leader, signing it with their local view number and the highest QC received so far. The next leader collects new view messages from the supermajority and includes their aggregate signature in the proposed block. Validators who receive the proposal consider the block to be safe if it extends from the highest QC.
The future outlook for ZIL tokens
As ZIL token technology continues to evolve, its application potential in the blockchain field is increasingly apparent. ZIL tokens not only technically achieve efficient transaction processing and security, but also attract more and more developers and users to participate in the ecosystem. In the future, ZIL tokens may play a greater role in decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFT) and other application scenarios.
in conclusion
In summary, the technical architecture and consensus mechanism of ZIL tokens have laid the foundation for its success in the blockchain field. Through innovative technologies such as weak subjectivity checkpoints and Pipelined Fast-HotStuff, ZIL tokens not only improve the efficiency and security of the network, but also provide users with a better user experience. As blockchain technology continues to develop, the future of ZIL tokens will be brighter.