We analyze the performance of different Passive Optical Network (PON) topologies for the distribution of multiuser quantum keys using subcarrier multiplexing and BB84 protocol in terms of the achievable Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) and the useful key distribution rate.
This paper provides an analysis of the performance of different passive optical network (PON) topologies for the distribution of multiuser quantum keys using subcarrier multiplexing and the Bennet-Brassard (BB84) protocol. PON topologies are evaluated in terms of the achievable quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the useful key rate. Results show that wavelength routed (WR) networks outperform broadcast topologies as the first are not subject to division losses. Within WR architecture the star configuration is the most efficient in terms of network scalability, maximum reachable distance and maximum useful distribution rate. The effect of subcarrier modulation index on the network performance has also been considered showing a similar and non significant impact for the range considered in this paper.
In this paper, we explore the performance of two network topologies: the optical ring network based on the Sagnac Interferometer and the wavelength routed optical network. The performance of all three networks for multiuser quantum key distribution are then computer simulated and compared by quantum bit error rate (QBER) analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time system level analysis have been performed on the suitability of various optical networks for quantum key distribution.
This paper provides an in-depth theoretical analysis of subcarrier multiplexed quantum key distribution (SCM-QKD) systems, taking into account as many factors of impairment as possible and especially considering the influence of nonlinear signal mixing on the end-to-end quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the useful key rate. A detailed analysis of SCM-QKD is performed considering the different factors affecting the sideband visibility (drifts in the modulator bias points, modulation index mismatch between Alice and Bob subcarriers) and the impact of nonlinear signal mixing leaking into otherwise void subcarrier sidebands. In a similar way to classical photonic radio-over-fiber telecommunication and cable TV systems, the impact of this nonlinear signal mixing can be accounted in terms of a quantum carrier to noise ratio that depends on the specific frequency plan that is implemented. QBER and useful key rate results for three different frequency plans featuringN$=15(low−countchannelsystem),N$$=$30 (intermediate-count channel system), and$N$$=50(high−countchannelsystem)channelsareprovided,showingthatphotonnonlinearmixingcanbeofimportanceinmiddle−andhigh−countSCM−QKDsystems(N≫30),withmoderateRFmodulationindexes(m≫5m$≪ 2%) are employed to encode the photons in the subcarrier sidebands.
The performance of four passive optical network topologies in implementing multi-user quantum key distribution is compared, using 3 protocols proposed by quantum cryptography (B92, EPR, SSP). The networks considered are the passive-star network, the optical-ring network based on the Sagnac interferometer, the wavelength-routed network, and the wavelength-addressed bus network . An analysis of the quantum bit-error rate and sifted key rate for each of these topologies is used to determine their suitability for providing quantum key distribution-service to networks of various sizes. The efficiency of the three considered protocols is also determinated.