Problem

The Ethereum network is a decentralized platform that runs smart contracts. It requires nodes to validate transactions and maintain the network. However, running a full node on mobile phones is not feasible due to the limited resources of these devices. This was a significant problem for the Ethereum community as they wanted to make it possible for users to run nodes on their mobile devices.

In order to solve this problem, the Minimal Light Client Prototype was created. The goal was to create a light client that could run on mobile phones while still being able to validate transactions on the Ethereum network.

The Original Proposal: https://notes.ethereum.org/@ralexstokes/S1RSe1JlF
The Forked Proposal: https://ethresear.ch/t/light-client-custom-token-creation-proposal/11433
The Research & Development process: https://hackmd.io/ZFINvY5fRUGrLK-BteZrug?view
The Work: https://github.com/jeyakatsa/Altair----Minimal-Light-Client-Prototype

Solution

The team behind the Minimal Light Client Prototype developed a new type of client called a "light client." This client only downloads and verifies block headers instead of downloading and verifying every transaction in each block. This significantly reduces the amount of data that needs to be downloaded and stored by the client.

The team also used Merkle trees, which are data structures used in cryptography, to verify transactions without having to download them all. By using these techniques, they were able to create a light client that could run on mobile devices while still being able to validate transactions on the Ethereum network.

Impact

Aimed to increase accessibility for users who want to run nodes on their mobile devices.

Team

Alex Stokes - Original Creator/Facilitator & Engineer
- Created the vision for the development of the light client
Jeremy Akatsa - Software Engineer
- Developed the infrastructure for the light client prototype
- Optimized the application for resource usage on mobile devices

Altair - Minimal Light Client Prototype