WIP-001: GPS Penalty Adjustment

Title

Adjustment of GPS Location Requirements to Reduce Penalties

Abstract

This proposal aims to modify the GPS requirements for WeatherXM weather stations, changing the criteria from daily updates to a three-day window before penalties are applied. This change will reduce unnecessary penalties for occasional missed updates while maintaining data integrity and network reliability.

Motivation

Currently, WeatherXM WiFi and 4G stations must provide GPS location updates at least daily, and Helium stations at least once every two days, with penalties applied for missed updates. This can lead to undue penalization for minor disruptions, decreasing rewards and potentially discouraging participation. By allowing a three-day window, we can provide additional flexibility to station operators and improve overall network efficiency without compromising the quality of the data.

Specification

Current Requirement: Weather stations must send a GPS location update at least once per day or every two days.

Proposed Change: Weather stations will continue to send GPS location updates daily. However, penalties will only be applied if a station fails to send a GPS update for three consecutive days.

Rationale

• Flexibility: A three-day penalty window allows stations to manage minor disruptions or maintenance without immediate penalties, thus improving station uptime and operator satisfaction.
• Network Reliability: Maintaining daily updates ensures data remains accurate and reliable. The three-day penalty window balances flexibility with the need for consistent data.
• Operational Efficiency: Reducing the frequency of penalties can lower administrative burdens and costs, making the network more efficient and user-friendly.

Implementation

1. Policy Update: Revise the current penalty logic within the Proof of Location (PoL) and rewards distribution algorithms to enforce the three-day window for GPS updates. This involves adjusting the criteria for when penalties are triggered based on consecutive missed updates.
2. System Adjustment: Update the PoL and rewards distribution algorithms to track GPS updates over a rolling three-day period. Penalties will only be applied if no GPS updates are received for three consecutive days.
3. Communication: Notify all weather station operators of the new policy, providing detailed guidelines and support for understanding and adapting to the change.

Affected Stakeholders

• Weather Station Operators: The primary stakeholders who will benefit from increased flexibility and reduced penalties. They may need to adjust their operational routines to align with the new policy.
• Data Consumers: Entities that rely on WeatherXM data, such as businesses and researchers, will benefit from continued data reliability without the disruptions caused by frequent penalties.
• WeatherXM Network: Will need to implement and monitor the new policy, ensuring compliance and addressing any issues that arise during the transition.

Potential Downsides

• Data Gaps: Extending the penalty window might lead to slightly longer periods without GPS updates, potentially affecting data granularity and real-time accuracy for certain applications.
• Implementation Challenges: Updating the PoL and rewards distribution algorithms to accommodate the new policy may require significant development and testing efforts.
• Initial Confusion: Operators and other stakeholders may initially face confusion or challenges in adapting to the new policy, requiring effective communication and support from WeatherXM administration.

References

• WeatherXM Documentation
• WeatherXM Proof of Location

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Voting

Voting Question

"Do you approve WIP-001 Adjustment of GPS ‘penalty window’ to three-day days for all devices?

Voting Options

• For: (I approve adjusting GPS penalties as outlined in WIP-001.)
• Against: (I do not approve the adjustment, and prefer to maintain the current GPS penalty policy.)
• Abstain: (I choose not to express approval or disapproval on WIP-001.)

Eligible Voters

All WeatherXM token holders in Arbitrum One or Ethereum, including vesting locked tokens of initial supporters; Excluding all association-held or controlled tokens.

Voting Method

Voting will be conducted via Snapshot at WeatherXM Snapshot. Voters will connect their wallets and cast votes directly through the Snapshot interface.

Voting Duration

• The voting period will last for 7 days from the announcement date.
• Voting will begin immediately upon announcement.
• Basic voting is used
• No shielded voting

Result Requirements

A simple majority (50% + 1) of total valid votes will determine the outcome. Abstain votes will be counted towards quorum but will not influence the majority required for approval.

Result Announcement

Final results will be announced within 24 hours after the end of the voting period. The announcement will be made in the #announcements Discord channel and pinned for visibility. It will also be added in GitHub discussions as a finalized vote.

Post-Voting Actions

If approved, the WeatherXM team will proceed to implement the adjustments immediately, latest within 1 month. Stakeholders will be notified of the changes and given clear instructions and timelines for adaptation if necessary.

Communication

Clear guidelines, FAQs, and direct support will be provided via Discord and official WeatherXM documentation channels to ensure smooth transition and adaptation.

Audit and Transparency

All votes will be publicly visible and transparent to ensure fairness and accountability. Voting records will be archived for future reference and auditing purposes.

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By adjusting the penalty criteria, we aim to improve the user experience of the WeatherXM network and remove effects discouraging participation in the network while maintaining the integrity and reliability of the weather data collected. This change is expected to encourage broader participation and reduce unnecessary penalties for occasional missed GPS updates.