DigiShield is Dogecoin’s per-block proof-of-work difficulty-adjustment method. It uses recent block-time data to recalculate the mining target as conditions change, rather than waiting for a long batch of blocks before retargeting. Dogecoin Core lists DigiShield difficulty adjustments as an implemented feature. DigiShield is part of Dogecoin’s consensus rules; it is not a separate cryptocurrency or a replacement for Scrypt proof of work.
| Protocol documentation | Dogecoin Core protocol features |
|---|---|
| Directories | Dogecoin Directory |
What the adjustment does
Proof-of-work networks compare each candidate block’s hash with a target: a lower target requires more work to find a valid block. DigiShield recalculates Dogecoin’s target from recent block intervals so difficulty can respond to changes in hash rate. Nodes apply the same consensus rules when checking new blocks.
DigiShield and AuxPoW
DigiShield and Auxiliary Proof of Work (AuxPoW) are different protocol components. DigiShield adjusts the target for Dogecoin proof of work. AuxPoW lets Dogecoin nodes validate qualifying work submitted through merged mining. Dogecoin Core’s chain parameters show AuxPoW activation while retaining DigiShield difficulty rules.
History and scope
Dogecoin Core’s protocol-feature list says DigiShield difficulty adjustments were enabled in Dogecoin Core 1.6.0 and attributes the implementation to work from DigiByte. The current source code documents DigiShield in Dogecoin’s chain parameters. These references describe Dogecoin’s implementation; they are not a complete standalone specification of every DigiShield variant used by other networks.
Related Terms
See Also
Sources
- Dogecoin Core: Implemented protocol features — Lists DigiShield difficulty adjustment as an implemented Dogecoin feature and gives its version history.
- Dogecoin Core: Chain parameters — Shows the DigiShield and AuxPoW consensus parameter sets.
- Dogecoin Dogepedia: What is a miner? — Describes Dogecoin’s difficulty changes and mining process.