Blockchain-Enabled Federated Learning: A Reference Architecture Incorporating a DID Access System

Recently, Blockchain-Enabled Federated Learning (BCFL), an innovative approach that combines the advantages of Federated Learning and Blockchain technology, is receiving great attention. Federated Learning (FL) allows multiple participants to jointly train machine learning models in a decentralized manner while maintaining data privacy and security. This paper proposes a reference architecture for blockchain-enabled federated learning, which enables multiple entities to collaboratively train machine learning models while preserving data privacy and security. A critical component of this architecture is the implementation of a decentralized identifier (DID)-based access system. DID introduces a decentralized, self-sovereign identity (ID) management system that allows participants to manage their IDs independently of central authorities. Within this proposed architecture, participants can authenticate and gain access to the federated learning platform via their DIDs, which are securely stored on the blockchain. The access system administers access control and permissions through the execution of smart contracts, further enhancing the security and decentralization of the system. This approach, integrating blockchain-enabled federated learning with a DID access system, offers a robust solution for collaborative machine learning in a distributed and secure manner. As a result, participants can contribute to global model training while maintaining data privacy and identity control without the need to share local data. These DIDs are stored on the blockchain and the access system uses smart contracts to manage access control and permissions. The source code will be available to the public soon.