The evolution of quantum key distribution networks: On the road to the Qinternet
The evolution of quantum key distribution networks: On the road to the Qinternet
Quantum key distribution (QKD) constitutes a
symmetric secret key negotiation protocol capable of maintaining
information-theoretic security. Given the recent advances in QKD
networks, they have evolved from academic research to some
preliminary applications. A QKD network consists of two or more
QKD nodes interconnected by optical fiber or free space links.
The secret keys are negotiated between any pair of QKD nodes,
and then they can be delivered to multiple users in various areas
for ensuring long-term protection and forward secrecy. We
commence by introducing the QKD basics, followed by reviewing
the development of QKD networks and their implementation in
practice. Subsequently, we describe the general QKD network
architecture, its elements, as well as its interfaces and protocols.
Next, we provide an in-depth overview of the associated physical
layer and network layer solutions, followed by the standardization
efforts as well as the application scenarios associated with QKD
networks. Finally, we discuss the potential future research
directions and provide design guidelines for QKD networks.
Cryptography, Elliptic curve cryptography, Internet, Protocols, Quantum computing, Quantum key distribution, Quantum key distribution networks, Security, communication networks, next generation networking., quantum communication, quantum cryptography, security
839-894
Cao, Yuan
f3744d44-a8a6-4c36-a22e-5643fafaaaa1
Zhao, Yongli
e481359f-3e16-42e0-bc22-73e9e2c724ff
Wang, Qin
6dca4c6f-aa3c-4586-9886-763da18497a1
Zhang, Jie
c990d6e5-2d79-431a-969f-1353c366849e
Ng, Soon Xin
e19a63b0-0f12-4591-ab5f-554820d5f78c
Hanzo, Lajos
66e7266f-3066-4fc0-8391-e000acce71a1
20 January 2022
Cao, Yuan
f3744d44-a8a6-4c36-a22e-5643fafaaaa1
Zhao, Yongli
e481359f-3e16-42e0-bc22-73e9e2c724ff
Wang, Qin
6dca4c6f-aa3c-4586-9886-763da18497a1
Zhang, Jie
c990d6e5-2d79-431a-969f-1353c366849e
Ng, Soon Xin
e19a63b0-0f12-4591-ab5f-554820d5f78c
Hanzo, Lajos
66e7266f-3066-4fc0-8391-e000acce71a1
Cao, Yuan, Zhao, Yongli, Wang, Qin, Zhang, Jie, Ng, Soon Xin and Hanzo, Lajos
(2022)
The evolution of quantum key distribution networks: On the road to the Qinternet.
IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 24 (2), .
(doi:10.1109/COMST.2022.3144219).
Abstract
Quantum key distribution (QKD) constitutes a
symmetric secret key negotiation protocol capable of maintaining
information-theoretic security. Given the recent advances in QKD
networks, they have evolved from academic research to some
preliminary applications. A QKD network consists of two or more
QKD nodes interconnected by optical fiber or free space links.
The secret keys are negotiated between any pair of QKD nodes,
and then they can be delivered to multiple users in various areas
for ensuring long-term protection and forward secrecy. We
commence by introducing the QKD basics, followed by reviewing
the development of QKD networks and their implementation in
practice. Subsequently, we describe the general QKD network
architecture, its elements, as well as its interfaces and protocols.
Next, we provide an in-depth overview of the associated physical
layer and network layer solutions, followed by the standardization
efforts as well as the application scenarios associated with QKD
networks. Finally, we discuss the potential future research
directions and provide design guidelines for QKD networks.
Text
COMST-00444-2021_final manuscript
- Accepted Manuscript
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 7 January 2021
Published date: 20 January 2022
Additional Information:
Funding Information:
This work was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant 62150032, in part by the National Key Research and Development Program of China under Grant 2020YFE0200600; in part by the Funds for Creative Research Groups of China under Grant 62021005
Publisher Copyright:
© 1998-2012 IEEE.
Keywords:
Cryptography, Elliptic curve cryptography, Internet, Protocols, Quantum computing, Quantum key distribution, Quantum key distribution networks, Security, communication networks, next generation networking., quantum communication, quantum cryptography, security
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 454194
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/454194
ISSN: 1553-877X
PURE UUID: e8c8ebbc-472f-4f5d-a591-25779a579bb5
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Date deposited: 02 Feb 2022 17:36
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 02:48
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Contributors
Author:
Yuan Cao
Author:
Yongli Zhao
Author:
Qin Wang
Author:
Jie Zhang
Author:
Soon Xin Ng
Author:
Lajos Hanzo
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