Modeling Quantum Optical Components, Pulses and Fiber Channels Using OMNeT++
This work addresses the need for accurate simulation of real-world QKD systems to assess performance and security, but it is incremental as it builds on existing OMNeT++ tools.
The authors tackled the problem of modeling non-ideal components in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems by developing a simulation framework called 'qkdX' based on OMNeT++, and they presented the design and analysis of various QKD systems using this framework.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an innovative technology which exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to generate and distribute unconditionally secure cryptographic keys. While QKD offers the promise of unconditionally secure key distribution, real world systems are built from non-ideal components which necessitates the need to model and understand the impact these non-idealities have on system performance and security. OMNeT++ has been used as a basis to develop a simulation framework to support this endeavor. This framework, referred to as "qkdX" extends OMNeT++'s module and message abstractions to efficiently model optical components, optical pulses, operating protocols and processes. This paper presents the design of this framework including how OMNeT++'s abstractions have been utilized to model quantum optical components, optical pulses, fiber and free space channels. Furthermore, from our toolbox of created components, we present various notional and real QKD systems, which have been studied and analyzed.