Quantum Metropolitan Optical Network based on Wavelength Division Multiplexing
This addresses the cost barrier for deploying QKD in metropolitan optical networks, making quantum cryptography more accessible, though it appears incremental by building on existing telecom infrastructure.
The authors tackled the high cost of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks by proposing a novel optical network model that uses wavelength division multiplexing to share infrastructure, enabling dynamic any-to-any communication and reducing deployment costs.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is maturing quickly. However, the current approaches to its application in optical networks make it an expensive technology. QKD networks deployed to date are designed as a collection of point-to-point, dedicated QKD links where non-neighboring nodes communicate using the trusted repeater paradigm. We propose a novel optical network model in which QKD systems share the communication infrastructure by wavelength multiplexing their quantum and classical signals. The routing is done using optical components within a metropolitan area which allows for a dynamically any-to-any communication scheme. Moreover, it resembles a commercial telecom network, takes advantage of existing infrastructure and utilizes commercial components, allowing for an easy, cost-effective and reliable deployment.