Quantum networks present various research challenges that need to be addressed for the development of future quantum Internet architectures, such as the interconnection of large numbers of end devices, and remote long distance connection. The recursive inter-network architecture (RINA) introduces great flexibility, scalability and a set of principles that can be applied to quantum networks, yielding a network model based on RINA, which we refer to as RINA-based quantum network. Such approach offers an appropriate solution to address the challenges posed by quantum networks. This paper presents the authors' vision on the potential of RINA-based quantum networks to advance the quantum Internet. First, a model based on packet switching is proposed to carry quantum payloads in local-area scenarios. Then, a RINA-based approach for entanglement-based teleportation is presented for wide-area scenarios. Last, a full RINA-based quantum network model for end-to-end communication is proposed. The proposed model enables the interconnection of packet-switching networks and entanglement-based networks. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first attempt at designing a RINA-based quantum inter-network model.
Quantum networks present various research challenges that need to be addressed for the development of future quantum Internet architectures, such as the interconnection of large numbers of end devices, and remote long distance connection. The recursive inter-network architecture (RINA) introduces great flexibility, scalability and a set of principles that can be applied to quantum networks, yielding a network model based on RINA, which we refer to as RINA-based quantum network. Such approach offers an appropriate solution to address the challenges posed by quantum networks. This paper presents the authors' vision on the potential of RINA-based quantum networks to advance the quantum Internet. First, a model based on packet switching is proposed to carry quantum payloads in local-area scenarios. Then, a RINA-based approach for entanglement-based teleportation is presented for wide-area scenarios. Last, a full RINA-based quantum network model for end-to-end communication is proposed. The proposed model enables the interconnection of packet-switching networks and entanglement-based networks. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first attempt at designing a RINA-based quantum inter-network model.
Entangled quantum communication is advancing rapidly, with laboratory and metropolitan testbeds under development, but to date there is no unifying Quantum Internet architecture. We propose a Quantum Internet architecture centered around the Quantum Recursive Network Architecture (QRNA), using RuleSet-based connections established using a two-pass connection setup. Scalability and internetworking (for both technological and administrative boundaries) are achieved using recursion in naming and connection control. In the near term, this architecture will support end-to-end, two-party entanglement on minimal hardware, and it will extend smoothly to multiparty entanglement and the use of quantum error correction on advanced hardware in the future. For a network internal gateway protocol, we recommend (but do not require) qDijkstra with seconds per Bell pair as link cost for routing; the external gateway protocol is designed to build recursively. The strength of our architecture is shown by assessing extensibility and demonstrating how robust protocol operation can be confirmed using the RuleSet paradigm.
A scalable and robust infrastructure for arbitrary quantum communication and distributed quantum computation will realize enhanced as well as new applications that are beyond the reach of classical communication networks. Quantum internetworking, which achieves large-scale quantum networks by building recursively on smaller quantum networks, is a promising approach. However, there are two big difficulties: decomposing end-to-end quantum communication, which is actually a complex distributed computing spanning classical and quantum computing, into processing for each subnetwork; and supporting future network functionality sustainably. In this work, we propose design principles for a quantum internetworking protocol based on the quantum recursive network architecture (QRNA) utilizing the RuleSet-based approach. We design two distinct approaches for recursion in quantum networks, namely link- and node-recursion. We demonstrate how end-to-end Bell pairs are generated over our internetworking systems, and evaluate the scaling of inputs to the distributed processing, via implementation on the Quantum Internet Simulation Package (QuISP). Our subnetwork recursion demonstrates the long-term future scalability as the size of and demands made on the Quantum Internet.
The great scientific and technological advances that are being carried out in the field of quantum communications, accompanied by large investment programs such as EuroQCI, are driving the deployment of quantum network throughout the world. One of the final long-term objectives is to achieve the development of a quantum internet that provides greater security in its services and new functionalities that the current internet does not have. This article analyzes the possible integration strategies of already deployed networks or in the process of being deployed in order to reach a future global quantum network. Two strategies based on the SDN paradigm are proposed, based on a hierarchical controller scheme and on a distributed model. Each of these approaches shows pros and cons and could be applicable in different use cases. To define these strategies, the most relevant deployments of quantum communications networks carried out to date has been analyzed, as well as the different approaches for a quantum network architecture and topology, and the various proposed definitions of what quantum internet is and what are the components that would make it up in an ideal scenario. Finally, several detected opportunities and challenges regarding security and technological aspects are presented.
The rapid advancement of quantum physical devices is transforming the quantum Internet from theory to practice. To achieve the envisioned full-time and all-location coverage, mobile quantum networks using drones have been proposed as a critical supplement to existing fiber and satellite quantum links, especially in scenarios where traditional optical links are unavailable. Although experiments in drone-based entanglement distribution have been successfully conducted, the field currently lacks a systematic network architecture and a dedicated protocol stack to integrate drone nodes and coordinate complex network functions efficiently. To address this gap, we propose a comprehensive design framework for drone-based quantum entanglement networks. First, we introduce a hierarchical architecture consisting of a quantum backbone relay network and quantum local area access networks. Second, for the local networks, we develop a clustering model based on the classical-quantum combinatorial metric to dynamically select and manage cluster heads. Third, we design a layered protocol stack that modularizes the end-to-end quantum information transmission process into well-defined functional layers. Subsequently, based on this architecture and protocol stack, we present the integrated design of a quantum drone node. Finally, we evaluate the designed network architecture. The results demonstrate that the proposed framework can significantly reduce the network overhead and improve the end-to-end entanglement distribution rate. Our work lays the foundation for the scalable development of mobile quantum networks.
Based on quantum mechanics, quantum communications have clock synchronization properties and unbreakable security. Recently, related technologies of quantum communications have made breakthroughs one after another, and it has also realized functions and applications that are difficult to achieve in traditional networks. In this era of the rise of quantum networks similar to the eve of the birth of the classical Internet “Arpanet,” researchers are full of longing for the blueprint of the future quantum network. In this work, we summarize, analyze and look forward to quantum communications and networking compared with the traditional Internet. Specifically, the related fundamentals, related technological developments, and existing challenges of quantum networks are firstly analyzed. On this basis, we look ahead and propose a prototype of the future quantum network architectures. Finally, we sort out and analyze the paradigm, principle, and properties of quantum communications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review and vision work on quantum communications and networking.
The Quantum Internet, a network interconnecting remote quantum devices through quantum links in synergy with classical ones, is envisioned as the final stage of the quantum revolution, opening fundamentally new communications and computing capabilities. But the Quantum Internet is governed by the laws of quantum mechanics. Phenomena with no counterpart in classical networks, such as no-cloning, quantum measurement, entanglement and quantum teleportation, impose new challenging constraints for network design. Specifically, classical network functionalities are based on the assumption that classical information can be safely read and copied. However, this assumption does not hold in the Quantum Internet. As a consequence, its design requires a major network-paradigm shift to harness the quantum mechanics specificities. The goal of this work is to shed light on the challenges and open problems of Quantum Internet design. We first introduce some basic knowledge of quantum mechanics, needed to understand the differences between a classical and a quantum network. Then, we introduce quantum teleportation as the key strategy for transmitting quantum information without physically transferring the particle that stores the quantum information or violating the principles of quantum mechanics. Finally, the key research challenges to design quantum communication networks are discussed.