WIP-004: QoD Weighting with Linear SPV Multiplier

Abstract

This WeatherXM Improvement Proposal (WIP) introduces Station Photo Verification (SPV) as a rewards weighting factor alongside Quality of Data (QoD), applying a linear SPV multiplier that ranges from 0.5 to 1.0 based on SPV score. The SPV multiplier is calculated as 0.5 + (0.5 × SPV.score), meaning stations with no photos receive 50% of their QoD-adjusted rewards, while stations with perfect SPV receive 100%. This ensures that only properly deployed and verifiably installed stations receive full rewards, while maintaining a bounded penalty that scales with deployment quality.

Motivation

WeatherXM already factors data quality (QoD) and related checks into rewards.

Station deployment quality (placement, height, obstacles, completeness) directly impacts data reliability.

By weighting rewards by QoD and applying a linear SPV multiplier, we:

• Incentivize proper installations and complete photo sets.
• Improve network data quality and downstream customer trust.
• Reduce rewards leakage from poor deployments (misplaced/indoor/obstructed stations).
• Provide a graduated penalty that rewards incremental improvement in deployment quality.

Scope

• Applies to all rewarded WeatherXM stations (all hardware classes).
• Uses the existing QoD pipeline (OBC/SQC/ISD/CQC aggregation as defined in docs) and the SPV system (multi-aspect photo verification with a continuous score).
• No change to cell capacity or base issuance; this WIP modulates the per-station share.

Specification

1) Definitions (from current docs)

• BaseRewardᵢ: Station i’s daily pre-quality share from the existing rewards mechanism (cell capacity, hardware class weights, PoL, etc.).
• QoDᵢ ∈ [0, 1]: Station i’s Quality of Data score (OBC/SQC/ISD/CQC aggregation).
• SPVᵢ.score ∈ [0, 1]: Continuous Station Photo Verification score summarizing deployment quality. Stations without photos have SPV.score = 0.

2) SPV multiplier rule (linear scaling)

Define the SPV multiplier as:

SPVMultiplierᵢ = 0.5 + (0.5 × SPVᵢ.score)

This formula ensures:

• Minimum multiplier of 0.5 when SPV.score = 0 (no photos submitted).
• Maximum multiplier of 1.0 when SPV.score = 1.0 (perfect deployment).
• Linear scaling between 0.5 and 1.0 for intermediate scores.

3) Reward formula

DailyRewardᵢ = BaseRewardᵢ × QoDᵢ × SPVMultiplierᵢ

Where:

• BaseRewardᵢ remains defined by the current rewards allocation mechanism.
• QoDᵢ remains a multiplicative quality factor as currently documented.

4) Effective date

If approved, this WIP will take effect on February 18th, 2026.

5) Examples

• No photos submitted: SPV.score = 0 → SPVMultiplier = 0.5 + (0.5 × 0) = 0.5 → with QoD = 1.0, station earns 50% of BaseReward.
• Poor SPV score: SPV.score = 0.3 → SPVMultiplier = 0.5 + (0.5 × 0.3) = 0.65 → with QoD = 1.0, station earns 65% of BaseReward.
• Medium SPV score: SPV.score = 0.5 → SPVMultiplier = 0.5 + (0.5 × 0.5) = 0.75 → with QoD = 1.0, station earns 75% of BaseReward.
• Good SPV score: SPV.score = 0.8 → SPVMultiplier = 0.5 + (0.5 × 0.8) = 0.9 → with QoD = 1.0, station earns 90% of BaseReward.
• Perfect SPV, perfect data: SPV.score = 1.0, QoD = 1.0 → SPVMultiplier = 1.0 → station earns 100% of BaseReward.
• Perfect SPV, poor data: SPV.score = 1.0, QoD = 0.5 → SPVMultiplier = 1.0 → station earns 50% of BaseReward.
• No photos, poor data: SPV.score = 0, QoD = 0.5 → SPVMultiplier = 0.5 → station earns 25% of BaseReward.

Governance / Change control

The SPV multiplier formula defined in this WIP (including the 0.5 floor and linear scaling coefficient) is subject to change via an Association General Assembly vote.

Affected Stakeholders

• Station Owners: All stations are affected by the SPV multiplier; rewards scale linearly from 0.5× to 1.0× based on SPV score. Stations without photos receive 0.5× on the SPV component.
• Community & DAO: Gains stronger assurance that rewards are tied to high-quality data and verifiable deployment quality.
• Customers & Data Users: Benefit from more reliable datasets that are consistently validated and better incentivized.

Edge Cases

• Photo re-validation (outdated or redeployed): A station’s SPV score may change if the environment changes or the station is moved/reinstalled, which will change the multiplier at the next evaluation according to the linear formula.
• Temporary photo review delays: While SPV score updates are pending, rewards use the most recent available SPV.score. If no score is available (e.g., new station or no photos ever submitted), SPV.score defaults to 0, yielding SPVMultiplier = 0.5.
• Partial photo sets: SPV scoring will produce a score between 0 and 1 based on completeness and quality; the multiplier scales accordingly via the linear formula.

Backward Compatibility

• Base issuance, cell capacity logic, hardware weights, and PoL remain unchanged.
• This WIP adds a linear SPV multiplier alongside existing QoD usage.

Anti-Abuse & Integrity

• Photo fraud: Mitigated via multi-angle requirements, object detection, metadata checks, and reviewer spot-checks.
• Gaming deployments: SPV checks for mast height, obstacles, completeness, and correct assembly (e.g., rain gauge present).
• Appeals: Clear process for users to resubmit improved photos and increase their SPV score to achieve a higher multiplier.

Rollout Plan

• Announce the change with clear guidance.
• Provide in-app reminders for station owners who haven't submitted station photos.
• Activate on February 18th, 2026.
• Monitor distributions and feedback for 2–4 weeks.
• Iterate if adjustments are needed (via Association General Assembly vote for SPV multiplier formula parameters).

Pseudocode

if SPV.score is unavailable:
    spv_score = 0

spv_multiplier = 0.5 + (0.5 * spv_score)
daily_reward = base_reward * QoD * spv_multiplier

Voting

Voting Question

Do you approve WIP-004 to introduce QoD Weighting with a Linear SPV Multiplier (ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 based on SPV score)?

Voting Options

• For: I approve introducing QoD Weighting with a Linear SPV Multiplier.
• Against: I do not approve introducing QoD Weighting with a Linear SPV Multiplier.
• Abstain: I choose not to express approval or disapproval on WIP-004.

Eligible Voters

All WeatherXM ($WXM) token holders in Arbitrum One or Ethereum, including vesting locked tokens of initial supporters; excluding all WeatherXM 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 3 days.
Voting will begin 2 hours after being created.
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 SPV multiplier logic immediately, with activation on February 18th, 2026.

Communication

Clear guidelines, FAQs, and direct support will be provided via Discord and official WeatherXM documentation channels.

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.