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CEF: Connecting Elaborate Federal QKD Networks

Alin-Bogdan Popa, Pantelimon Popescu

TL;DR

This work proposes a 4-step orchestration framework to address challenges of QKD infrastructure development based on centralized research, target network planning, optimal QKD design, and protocol enforcement.

Abstract

As QKD infrastructure becomes increasingly complex while being developed by different actors (typically national governments), interconnecting them into a federated network of very elaborate sub-networks that maintain a high degree of autonomy will pose unique challenges. We identify several such challenges and propose a 4-step orchestration framework to address them based on centralized research, target network planning, optimal QKD design, and protocol enforcement.

CEF: Connecting Elaborate Federal QKD Networks

TL;DR

This work proposes a 4-step orchestration framework to address challenges of QKD infrastructure development based on centralized research, target network planning, optimal QKD design, and protocol enforcement.

Abstract

As QKD infrastructure becomes increasingly complex while being developed by different actors (typically national governments), interconnecting them into a federated network of very elaborate sub-networks that maintain a high degree of autonomy will pose unique challenges. We identify several such challenges and propose a 4-step orchestration framework to address them based on centralized research, target network planning, optimal QKD design, and protocol enforcement.
Paper Structure (6 sections, 3 figures)

This paper contains 6 sections, 3 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Arguments against the Naive Approach
  3. Architecture for a Successful FedQCI
  4. Conclusion
  5. References Section
  6. Biography Section

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: Example of connected elaborate federal networks with connectivity issues that are due to the lack of centralized planning. With white are displayed national links within different countries, while international connections are orange. In this example, an international use-case is desired between the two nodes highlighted in red in countries A and D, with the link path that connects them highlighted in brown. While at first sight a path seems to exist (if networks B and C are considered black boxes), in reality two separate issues make this use-case impossible. First of all, the yellow link may connect two military sites, and requires special clearance to exchange keys with the rest of the network (which countries A and D do not have). Secondly, while country C does have international connections to both countries B and D, these two connection points are not actually connected with each other. The use-case between A and D is, unfortunately, not possible.
  • Figure 2: Schematic of the proposed methodology, divided into 4 steps. Each step relies on the previous to have been completed.
  • Figure 3: On the left-hand side, Country X provides availability for external usage in the form of a guaranteed minimal key rate (in bits per second) between all pairs of external connections. On the right-hand side, Country X ensures 20% of all its national QKD links are provided at the disposal of international use-cases.