Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)

Low cost, short range quantum key distribution

David Lowndes, Stefan Frick, Benjamin Harrington, John Rarity

Published Jun 1, 2017• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

There are various arguments in favour of quantum key distribution (QKD) as a part of modern communications security [1], either to provide a “quantum enhancement” or to provide one of the unique properties offered by QKD, such as robust forward security [2]. Either way, we offer a QKD system which can be offered at low cost to a large number of users who wish to leverage QKD in whichever way they choose.

DOI
10.1109/cleoe-eqec.2017.8087424

Related papers

Quantum Key Distribution Protocols: A Review of Security Enhancements

Sanjay P. Pande

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has emerged as a revolutionary technology for secure communication, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to ensure the inviolability of cryptographic keys. Conventional QKD protocols often rely on centralized systems, which present challenges related to scalability, trust, and single points of failure. This review explores the security enhancements introduced by adopting a decentralized approach to QKD protocols. We analyze various decentralized QKD frameworks that eliminate the need for trusted third parties, leveraging blockchain technology and other distributed systems to enhance security, transparency, and robustness. In addition to assessing their performance, we examine how these decentralized models mitigate vulnerabilities such as key interception, node compromise, and denial-of-service attacks, which are prevalent in traditional centralized systems. Our review highlights advancements in the integration of decentralized QKD with classical cryptographic techniques, offering a comprehensive view of its potential to revolutionize secure communications in critical sectors. The decentralized approach to QKD represents a promising evolution towards more secure, scalable, and resilient quantum cryptography systems.

Computer Fraud & Security•Dec 21, 2024•0 citations

The QKD network: From metropolitan to wide area

Shuang Wang, Zheng‐Fu Han, Wei Ren Chen +3 more

Secure communication and information protection become more and more important in the modern society. Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables two remote legitimate users to share unconditionally secure keys. Different from the former ones, the security of these keys is based on the principles of quantum physics and could be proved. Combined with one-time pad encryption, QKD can provide us an effective way for secure communication and information protection[1, 2]. Since Bennett and Brassard proposed the famous BB84 protocol[3], QKD or quantum cryptography has become one of the most dynamic research fields. After about twenty years of development, experimental QKD has achieved significant improvements, such as the transmission distance increased from 32 cm[4]to 260 km[5], the speed increased from 200 Hz[4]to 10 GHz[6].

IEEE/LEOS Summer Topical Meetings•Jul 1, 2013•0 citations

Quantum and classical communications on shared infrastructure

Sima Bahrani, Osama Elmabrok, Guillermo Currás-Lorenzo +2 more

Future communications networks not only should enable massive exchange of classical bits, but also the transmission of quantum bits on which many quantum applications rely. This will be the key to offering quantum technologies in a cost-efficient way, and it should encompass the integration of quantum and classical networks at the core of existing optical communications networks, as well as at the access end of such networks. In this work, we cover a range of proposals that enable such an integration for one of the imminent applications of quantum technologies, i.e., quantum key distribution (QKD), by which users can securely exchange a secret key for their cryptographic needs. This will include using wavelength division multiplexing techniques to send quantum and classical data on the same fiber as well as wireless access for QKD users to passive optical networks. In each case, we explore optimal arrangements to find the best way forward for an amicable coexistence.

International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks•Jul 1, 2019•3 citations

Quantum key distribution

N. Lotkenhaus

The paper discussed on possible optimization set-ups for quantum key distribution (QKD). The large secret key resulting from QKD is a valuable resource in communication scenarios, e.g. for secret communication, authentication, identification and so forth.

European Quantum Electronics Conference (EQEC)•Jan 18, 2006•2 citations

Implementation and Realistic Security of Unidimensional Modulation Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution in Downstream Access Networks

Pu Wang, Jianqiang Liu, Zengliang Bai +2 more

To address the demand for low-cost deployment in quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, this study explores the implementation of unidimensional (UD) modulation continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) protocols within downstream access networks. The UD CV-QKD protocol employs a single modulator for information encoding, offering benefits such as reduced implementation cost and lower random number consumption, which collectively decrease the overall setup expense of QKD systems. Through systematic performance analysis, it is demonstrated that the proposed UD modulation downstream access network scheme exhibits strong scalability and practical applicability. When supporting 32 users, the system maintains secure communication over transmission distances of up to 50 km. As the number of users increases to 64, performance declines slightly; however, the system still achieves a 35 km transmission distance, which remains suitable for many metropolitan access applications. Even in high-density access scenarios involving 128 users, the system sustains a positive key rate within a transmission range of 20 km. Furthermore, this study evaluates the protocol’s practical security under source intensity errors and finite-size effects. These results provide meaningful guidance for deploying low-cost, high-security quantum communication access networks and contribute to advancing QKD technologies toward scalable, real-world implementations.

Photonics•Sep 5, 2025•1 citation

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Framework for Secure Military and Strategic Communication Networks

L. Sherin Beevi, Ponsy R. K. Sathia Bhama, P. M. Joe Prathap +2 more

International Conference on Emerging Smart Computing and Informatics (ESCI)•Mar 11, 2026•0 citations
There are various arguments in favour of quantum key distribution (QKD) as a part of modern communications security [1], either to provide a “quantum enhancement” or to provide one of the unique properties offered by QKD, such as robust forward security [2]. Either way, we offer a QKD system which can be offered at low cost to a large number of users who wish to leverage QKD in whichever way they choose.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) has emerged as a revolutionary technology for secure communication, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to ensure the inviolability of cryptographic keys. Conventional QKD protocols often rely on centralized systems, which present challenges related to scalability, trust, and single points of failure. This review explores the security enhancements introduced by adopting a decentralized approach to QKD protocols. We analyze various decentralized QKD frameworks that eliminate the need for trusted third parties, leveraging blockchain technology and other distributed systems to enhance security, transparency, and robustness. In addition to assessing their performance, we examine how these decentralized models mitigate vulnerabilities such as key interception, node compromise, and denial-of-service attacks, which are prevalent in traditional centralized systems. Our review highlights advancements in the integration of decentralized QKD with classical cryptographic techniques, offering a comprehensive view of its potential to revolutionize secure communications in critical sectors. The decentralized approach to QKD represents a promising evolution towards more secure, scalable, and resilient quantum cryptography systems.
Secure communication and information protection become more and more important in the modern society. Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables two remote legitimate users to share unconditionally secure keys. Different from the former ones, the security of these keys is based on the principles of quantum physics and could be proved. Combined with one-time pad encryption, QKD can provide us an effective way for secure communication and information protection[1, 2]. Since Bennett and Brassard proposed the famous BB84 protocol[3], QKD or quantum cryptography has become one of the most dynamic research fields. After about twenty years of development, experimental QKD has achieved significant improvements, such as the transmission distance increased from 32 cm[4]to 260 km[5], the speed increased from 200 Hz[4]to 10 GHz[6].
Future communications networks not only should enable massive exchange of classical bits, but also the transmission of quantum bits on which many quantum applications rely. This will be the key to offering quantum technologies in a cost-efficient way, and it should encompass the integration of quantum and classical networks at the core of existing optical communications networks, as well as at the access end of such networks. In this work, we cover a range of proposals that enable such an integration for one of the imminent applications of quantum technologies, i.e., quantum key distribution (QKD), by which users can securely exchange a secret key for their cryptographic needs. This will include using wavelength division multiplexing techniques to send quantum and classical data on the same fiber as well as wireless access for QKD users to passive optical networks. In each case, we explore optimal arrangements to find the best way forward for an amicable coexistence.
To address the demand for low-cost deployment in quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, this study explores the implementation of unidimensional (UD) modulation continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) protocols within downstream access networks. The UD CV-QKD protocol employs a single modulator for information encoding, offering benefits such as reduced implementation cost and lower random number consumption, which collectively decrease the overall setup expense of QKD systems. Through systematic performance analysis, it is demonstrated that the proposed UD modulation downstream access network scheme exhibits strong scalability and practical applicability. When supporting 32 users, the system maintains secure communication over transmission distances of up to 50 km. As the number of users increases to 64, performance declines slightly; however, the system still achieves a 35 km transmission distance, which remains suitable for many metropolitan access applications. Even in high-density access scenarios involving 128 users, the system sustains a positive key rate within a transmission range of 20 km. Furthermore, this study evaluates the protocol’s practical security under source intensity errors and finite-size effects. These results provide meaningful guidance for deploying low-cost, high-security quantum communication access networks and contribute to advancing QKD technologies toward scalable, real-world implementations.