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Journal of Lightwave Technology

Coupled-Theoretical-Model-Based on-Demand Quantum Secured Future Fronthaul Architecture Over Hybrid Core Fibers

Weiwen Kong, Yongmei Sun, Yaoxian Gao, Yuefeng Ji

Published Apr 1, 2022• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a coupled theoretical model used for noise processing at nodes of hybrid core fiber with single core fiber (SMF)-multicore fiber (MCF), and intra-core noises and inter-core noises are considered in the model. Then, we propose an on-demand quantum secured future fronthaul architecture and a channel allocation algorithm over hybrid core fibers, and the proposed coupled theoretical model is used to calculate the noises in architecture. For fronthaul optical signals, wavelength modes and the number of transceiver modules in the distributed unit (DU) can be dynamically adjusted according to requirements, and the function of load aggregation is adopted. For quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum signals are transmitted in a dedicated core, and wavelength-time multiplexing is adopted to increase the number of quantum secured base station (BSs) while improving wavelength utilization. Finally, simulation results show that proposed channel allocation algorithm can suppress noise about 60% compared to First-Fit. The architecture can save up to 83.3% modules in 7-core feeder fiber, and it is feasible to support 128 BSs. The experimental and simulation results show that the proposed coupled theoretical model matches well with the experimental results, and the quantum bit error rates in experiment are both lower than 2.5%. The results show that the architecture has the advantages of allocating time-space-frequency resources on-demand, saving power consumption, and expanding the number of users. Therefore, it provides a feasible solution for future optical fronthaul networks secured by QKD.

DOI
10.1109/jlt.2022.3164176

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In this paper, we propose a coupled theoretical model used for noise processing at nodes of hybrid core fiber with single core fiber (SMF)-multicore fiber (MCF), and intra-core noises and inter-core noises are considered in the model. Then, we propose an on-demand quantum secured future fronthaul architecture and a channel allocation algorithm over hybrid core fibers, and the proposed coupled theoretical model is used to calculate the noises in architecture. For fronthaul optical signals, wavelength modes and the number of transceiver modules in the distributed unit (DU) can be dynamically adjusted according to requirements, and the function of load aggregation is adopted. For quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum signals are transmitted in a dedicated core, and wavelength-time multiplexing is adopted to increase the number of quantum secured base station (BSs) while improving wavelength utilization. Finally, simulation results show that proposed channel allocation algorithm can suppress noise about 60% compared to First-Fit. The architecture can save up to 83.3% modules in 7-core feeder fiber, and it is feasible to support 128 BSs. The experimental and simulation results show that the proposed coupled theoretical model matches well with the experimental results, and the quantum bit error rates in experiment are both lower than 2.5%. The results show that the architecture has the advantages of allocating time-space-frequency resources on-demand, saving power consumption, and expanding the number of users. Therefore, it provides a feasible solution for future optical fronthaul networks secured by QKD.
In this paper, we propose core and wavelength allocation schemes for the simultaneous transmission of classical signals and quantum key distribution (QKD) over multi-core fiber (MCF), aiming to maximize the secure key rate, and evaluate the proposed schemes in sending-or-not-sending-QKD (SNS-QKD) and Bennett-Brassard-1984-QKD (BB84-QKD). First, we formulate the noise power on quantum channels, and propose a theoretical model of backward cascaded noise of four wave mixing and inter-core crosstalk considering modulation frequency of the classical signals. Also, the impact of noises on secure key rate is calculated in SNS-QKD and BB84-QKD. Then, we propose a core allocation algorithm in order to reduce the noise interference to quantum cores, and the quantum equal frequency spacing (qEFS) and the quantum unequal frequency spacing (qUFS) wavelength allocation schemes are proposed in the same-core (SC) and the different-core (DC) distribution. Finally, we perform numerical simulation and experimental evaluation for the proposed schemes. Compared with the conventional channel allocation (CCA) scheme in SNS-QKD, the proposed schemes can extend the secure transmission distance up to 78.8%. In BB84-QKD, the secure transmission distance can be extended up to 127.1% under SC-qUFS scheme. Experimental results show that the proposed schemes can suppress noise photons up to 57.54% compared to CCA scheme.
The integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) into optical networks has emerged as a promising solution for securing sensitive data transmission in mobile fronthaul applications. However, implementing QKD typically requires dedicated dark fibers, which increases network complexity and deployment costs. This paper explores an approach that leverages Multi-Core Fibers (MCF) to integrate both classical and quantum channels within the same optical fiber, utilizing Space Division Multiplexing (SDM). By dedicating separate cores for quantum and classical channels, the proposed system minimizes the need for additional infrastructure while ensuring secure and efficient communication. Crosstalk between cores, a critical factor in MCF design, is analyzed through simulations, considering parameters such as core pitch and operating spectrum. Results demonstrate the feasibility of achieving minimal inter-core crosstalk for reliable quantum and classical channel coexistence. This study underscores the potential of MCF-based SDM as a cost-effective and scalable solution for future quantum-secured mobile networks.
Broadband access in optical domain usually focuses in providing a pervasive cost-effective high bitrate communication in a given area. Nowadays, it is of utmost interest also to be able to provide a secure communication to the costumers in the area. Wireless access networks rely on optical domain for both fronthaul and backhaul of the radio access network (C-RAN). Multicore fiber (MCF) has been proposed as a promising candidate for the optical media of choice in nextgeneration wireless. The capacity demand of next-generation 5G networks makes interesting the use of high-capacity optical solutions as space-division multiplexing of different signals over MCF media. This work addresses secure MCF communication supporting C-RAN architectures. The paper proposes the use of one core in the MCF to transport securely an optical quantum key encoding altogether with end-to-end wireless signal transmitted in the remaining cores in radio-over-fiber (RoF). The RoF wireless signals are suitable for radio access fronthaul and backhaul. The theoretical principle and simulation analysis of quantum key distribution (QKD) are presented in this paper. The potential impact of optical RoF transmission crosstalk impairments is assessed experimentally considering different cellular signals on the remaining optical cores in the MCF. The experimental results report fronthaul performance over a four-core optical fiber with RoF transmission of full-standard CDMA signals providing 3.5G services in one core, HSPA+ signals providing 3.9G services in the second core and 3GPP LTEAdvanced signals providing 4G services in the third core, considering that the QKD signal is allocated in the fourth core.
We propose a quantum-classical access network architecture based on multicore fiber to scale up the number of quantum key distribution (QKD) users. Quantum signals are integrated with classical signals in both feeder and drop fibers to save deployment cost since access networks are cost-sensitive. To increase the secure key rate (SKR) of QKD, we show that wavelength-time division multiplexing is suitable for quantum signals, which are required to support a large number of quantum users. Also, we propose a core and wavelength assignment scheme to alleviate spontaneous Raman scattering and intercore cross talk noise, which are the main impairment sources to QKD in this quantum-classical network. Finally, we experimentally show the performance of QKD in the proposed quantum-classical access network in terms of noise and channel loss. The experiment results are consistent with our analysis. The characteristics of the SKRs prove the superiority of wavelength-time division multiplexing. The properties of spontaneous Raman scattering in the feeder and drop fibers are shown in the experiments through the quantum bit error rates in different experimental conditions, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed core and wavelength assignment scheme.
We propose a quantum access network based on multicore fiber (MCF) to scale up the number of users in quantum key distribution (QKD) networks. The MCF is used as feeder fiber and single core single mode fibers (SSMFs) are used as drop fibers. Quantum signals (QSs) are integrated with classical signals (CSs) in both MCF and SSMFs to save deployment cost since access networks are cost sensitive. Due to the integration, spontaneous Raman scattering (SRS) and intercore crosstalk (ICXT) are the main impairment sources to QKD. To alleviate the noise, we propose a core and wavelength assignment scheme (CWAS) that a dedicated core of MCF is used to transmit QSs and the wavelengths of QSs are set lower than those of upstream signals. Also, we demonstrate that wavelength time division multiplexing (WTDM) is suitable for QSs which are required to support large number of quantum users, since WTDM can realize higher secure key rate (SKR) than time division multiplexing (TDM) and require lower cost than wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). Finally, the proposed quantum access network is verified experimentally. The experiment results are consistent with our analysis. The properties of SRS in the proposed architecture are shown in the experiments through the quantum bit error rates (QBERs) in different experimental case, which verifies the superiority of the proposed CWAS. Also, the characteristics of the SKRs prove that the number of receivers has a great impact on the performance of QSs using WTDM.