Trusted Provenance with Blockchain - A Blockchain-based Provenance Tracking System for Virtual Aircraft Component Manufacturing

Abstract

The importance of provenance in the digital age has led to significant interest in utilizing blockchain technology for tamper-proof storage of provenance data. This thesis proposes a blockchain-based provenance tracking system for the certification of aircraft components. The aim is to design and implement a system that can ensure the trustworthy, tamper-resistant storage of provenance documents originating from an aircraft manufacturing process. To achieve this, the thesis presents a systematic literature review, which provides a comprehensive overview of existing works in the field of provenance and blockchain technology. After obtaining strategies to utilize blockchain for the storage of provenance data on the blockchain, a system was designed to meet the requirements of stakeholders in the aviation industry. The thesis utilized a systematic approach to gather requirements by conducting interviews with stakeholders. The system was implemented using a combination of smart contracts and a graphical user interface to provide tamper-resistant, traceable storage of relevant data on a transparent blockchain. An evaluation based on the requirements identified during the requirement engineering process found that the proposed system meets all identified requirements. Overall, this thesis offers insight into a potential application of blockchain technology in the aviation industry and provides a valuable resource for researchers and industry professionals seeking to leverage blockchain technology for provenance tracking and certification purposes