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International Journal of Embedded Systems

A novel WDM-PON based on quantum key distribution FPGA controller

Yunlu Wang, Wen Hao, Jian Zhihua, Li Shuhuai

Published Jan 1, 2017• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

To improve the potential security threats of WDM-PON access network, a novel WDM-PON based on quantum key distribution FPGA controller of passive decoy state modified model is presented here. QKD FPGA is responsible for 1.25 Gbps upstream PRBS source, clock regeneration, phase modulation control, key sifting, privacy amplification, and upstream time-divided-multiple-access control on quantum channels. An 8-user network experiment shows that over 20 km fibre, the mean secure exchange key rate can reach up to 500 bps in total, with the acceptable quantum bit error rate below safe limit and a few impact on classical channels. This scheme can provide a promising way for the coexistence between quantum key distribution and classical data service.

DOI
10.1504/ijes.2017.084692

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To improve the potential security threats of WDM-PON access network, a novel WDM-PON based on quantum key distribution FPGA controller of passive decoy state modified model is presented here. QKD FPGA is responsible for 1.25 Gbps upstream PRBS source, clock regeneration, phase modulation control, key sifting, privacy amplification, and upstream time-divided-multiple-access control on quantum channels. An 8-user network experiment shows that over 20 km fibre, the mean secure exchange key rate can reach up to 500 bps in total, with the acceptable quantum bit error rate below safe limit and a few impact on classical channels. This scheme can provide a promising way for the coexistence between quantum key distribution and classical data service.
To improve the potential security threats of WDM-PON access network, a novel WDM-PON based on quantum key distribution FPGA controller of passive decoy state modified model is presented here. QKD FPGA is responsible for 1.25 Gbps upstream PRBS source, clock regeneration, phase modulation control, key sifting, privacy amplification, and upstream time-divided-multiple-access control on quantum channels. An 8-user network experiment shows that over 20 km fibre, the mean secure exchange key rate can reach up to 500 bps in total, with the acceptable quantum bit error rate below safe limit and a few impact on classical channels. This scheme can provide a promising way for the coexistence between quantum key distribution and classical data service.
We present the first demonstration of quantum key distribution (QKD) on a multi-user wavelength division multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) with simultaneous, bidirectional 10Gb/s classical channel transmission. The C-Band QKD system operates at a clock rate of 10GHz and employs differential phase shift keying (DPSK). A dual feeder fiber and band filtering scheme is used to suppress classical to quantum channel cross-talk generated by spontaneous Raman scattering, which would otherwise prevent secure key distribution. Quantum keys were distributed to 4 users with negligible Raman cross-talk penalties. The mean QBER value for 4 users was 3.5% with a mean raw key distribution rate of 1.3Mb/s, which decreased to 696kb/s after temporal windowing to reduce inter-symbol interference due to single photon detector timing jitter.
Abstract Passive Optical Networks (PON) are widely used to deliver fixed line communication due to their cost effectiveness and potential for high data transfer rates. However, due to the nature of their operation, every user on a PON system has access to every other user’s downstream data. Current progress in quantum computing means that the classical encryption algorithms currently used to secure communication data, including PON data, may not be sufficient in the future and so, for total information security another encryption solution, such as Quantum Key Distribution, must be found. This paper outlines the different variations of QKD on PON that have so far been proposed and summarises the current state of the art of experimental demonstrations of QKD on PON.
A real-time quantum key distribution (QKD) system is developed in this paper. In the system, based on the feature of a field-programmable gate array, secure key extraction control and algorithm have been optimally designed to perform sifting, error correction, and privacy amplification altogether in real time. In the QKD experiment, information synchronization mechanism and high-speed classic data channel are designed to ensure the steady operation of the system. Decoy state and synchronous laser light source are used in the system, while the length of optical fiber between Alice and Bob is 20 km. With photons repetition frequency of 20 MHz, the final key rate could reach 17 kb/s. Smooth and robust operation is verified with 6 h continuous test and associated with encrypted voice communication test.
It is well known that optical access networks are able to provide high data rates over long distances and to a reasonable number of users. Security and privacy are always a challenge for public accessible network infrastructures. Especially in time-division multiplexing passive optical networks (TDM-PONs), in which the downstream signal is broadcasted to all users connected via the same wavelength channel in a shared fiber link, privacy can be a critical concern. Although encryption at the application layer can provide a high level of security, this can be achieved only if the encryption key distribution is perfectly save. On the other hand, encryption on the physical layer such as quantum cryptography or, more precisely, quantum key distribution (QKD) is a very promising approach to achieve secure communication. However, there remain several issues that have to be solved before the quantum cryptography reaches the maturity level needed for a cost effective implementation in practical networks. In this paper, we address quantum key distribution (QKD) over passive optical access networks, which is an enabling technology required to cost efficiently deploy practical quantum encrypted data communication in the access area. We study different methods to integrate QKD systems in conventional optical access networks and quantitatively evaluate their suitability for a potential implementation.
We provide design guidelines for the integration of quantum key distribution (QKD) into legacy passive optical networks (PONs). Our study addresses the challenge of quantum coexistence with various PON standards in different network topologies. We develop a novel theoretical model to assess the impact of the passive optical distribution network on both the quantum signal and the generation of scattered Raman photons from classical signals. This work also includes an extensive Raman efficiency experimental evaluation over a wide frequency range. The study evaluates the integration of upstream QKD systems in 32- or 64-user PON scenarios, determining quantum-available bandwidths and maximum supported PON lengths. In single-fibre architectures the coexistence with standards having upstream and downstream classical channels in different telecommunication fibre windows (e.g. XG-PON) is extremely challenging due to the pervasive spectrum placement of the spontaneous Raman scattering noise. However dual-feeder architectures (i.e., placing the QKD receiver at the OLT-side of the protection feeder fibre) can significantly enhance QKD performance and support the key-exchange over the entire standardized PON length for most PON standards and even in case of two-PON standard presence. Finally, the dual-fibre topology allows the quantum coexistence in access networks where three classical standards share the same infrastructure.