## 2 Theoretical Background and Literature Review
### Blockchain and Smart Contracts
#### 2.2.3 Detailed Blockchain Configuration  
In this section, we elaborate upon the intricate blockchain configurations that have been meticulously designed and employed within the 5G antenna manufacturing process. These configurations have been strategically crafted to meet the high standards of security, efficiency, and interoperability that are essential in a sophisticated production environment. The blockchain architecture we have developed is not merely an adjunct to our manufacturing processes but a fundamental component that enhances the integrity and traceability of our production chain. Table 1 presents a comprehensive overview of the various components of our blockchain solution, articulating their functions and the technologies we have harnessed. This includes our choice of blockchain platform, which leverages the strengths of Ethereum for its smart contract capabilities and Hyperledger Fabric for its private blockchain operations, ensuring a robust and secure framework for our decentralized data management needs. We adopt the Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism, which has been chosen for its efficiency and the level of control it offers within the manufacturing ecosystem, a critical factor when considering the precision required in antenna fabrication. The smart contract language is centered around Solidity for Ethereum-based contracts, providing a reliable and developer-friendly syntax that is essential for crafting complex contractual stipulations that are self-executing and self-enforcing. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l} \hline \hline
**Configuration Aspect** & **Details** \\ \hline Blockchain Platform & Ethereum for smart contracts; Hyperledger for private blockchain operations \\ Consensus Mechanism & Proof of Authority (PoA) for efficiency and control within manufacturing ecosystem \\ Smart Contract Language & Solidity for Ethereum-based contracts \\ Network Type & Consortium blockchain for collaboration between manufacturing partners \\ Node Configuration & Full nodes operated by major stakeholders for integrity and consensus; light nodes for \\  & supply chain participants for verification purposes \\ Security Protocols & AES encryption for data security; SSL/TLS for secure communication channels \\ Data Storage & On-chain for critical manufacturing data and smart contract states; off-chain for bulky data \\  & storage using IPFS \\ Interoperability Features & APIs for integration with existing ERP and supply chain management systems \\ Scalability Solutions & Layer 2 scaling solutions (e.g., state channels) for enhanced transaction throughput \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Detailed blockchain configuration for 5G ceramic antenna manufacturing. This table provides a summary of the specific blockchain infrastructure components, their functions, and the corresponding technologies applied to enhance the manufacturing process, including platform selection, consensus mechanisms, smart contract languages, network types, node configurations, security protocols, data storage solutions, interoperability capabilities, and scalability features. Regarding network type, we have opted for a consortium blockchain, which facilitates collaboration between manufacturing partners while maintaining the privacy and security of shared data. The node configuration is structured such that full nodes are operated by major stakeholders, ensuring data integrity and consensus across the network, while light nodes are utilized by supply chain participants for verification purposes, thus optimizing network resources. Our security protocols incorporate AES encryption to safeguard data security and SSL/TLS for secure communication channels, both of which are pivotal in protecting the data exchange within our manufacturing processes. Data storage is managed with a dual approach; critical manufacturing data and smart contract states are stored on-chain, while bulk data storage is handled off-chain using IPFS, striking an optimal balance between accessibility and efficiency.