Amidst the development of communication technologies, the limitations of 5G communication systems, particularly in security and resource management, have become increasingly apparent. As the 6G era approaches, there are growing demands for integrated systems that ensure robust security and optimize resource utilization. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel architecture that integrates classical communication channels and quantum key distribution (QKD) channels using wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM). This innovative approach allows classical and quantum channels to coexist within a single optical fiber, improving security and fiber utilization while reducing system complexity and cost. A key contribution of this work is introducing an AI-based prediction and management module, dynamically adjusting the quantum key generation rate according to real-time usage and forecasted demand. By leveraging machine learning, the module predicts quantum key consumption patterns, ensuring that the key generation rate aligns with the system’s security and performance requirements. This approach balances key generation and usage, minimizing resource waste and enhancing the system’s overall efficiency. The feasibility of the proposed architecture is validated through an analysis of spontaneous Raman scattering (SpRS), showing the architecture maintains high key generation rates and low quantum bit error rates (QBER) under optimal system conditions. Furthermore, an analysis reveals that the AI module meets the requirement of predicting key usage and managing the key generation rate. Lastly, the feasibility is further validated by an experiment. Overall, this study presents a comprehensive framework for integrating classical and quantum channels in future 6G networks, providing enhanced security, efficiency, and scalability.
Amidst the development of communication technologies, the limitations of 5G communication systems, particularly in security and resource management, have become increasingly apparent. As the 6G era approaches, there are growing demands for integrated systems that ensure robust security and optimize resource utilization. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel architecture that integrates classical communication channels and quantum key distribution (QKD) channels using wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM). This innovative approach allows classical and quantum channels to coexist within a single optical fiber, improving security and fiber utilization while reducing system complexity and cost. A key contribution of this work is introducing an AI-based prediction and management module, dynamically adjusting the quantum key generation rate according to real-time usage and forecasted demand. By leveraging machine learning, the module predicts quantum key consumption patterns, ensuring that the key generation rate aligns with the system’s security and performance requirements. This approach balances key generation and usage, minimizing resource waste and enhancing the system’s overall efficiency. The feasibility of the proposed architecture is validated through an analysis of spontaneous Raman scattering (SpRS), showing the architecture maintains high key generation rates and low quantum bit error rates (QBER) under optimal system conditions. Furthermore, an analysis reveals that the AI module meets the requirement of predicting key usage and managing the key generation rate. Lastly, the feasibility is further validated by an experiment. Overall, this study presents a comprehensive framework for integrating classical and quantum channels in future 6G networks, providing enhanced security, efficiency, and scalability.
The rapid evolution of mobile communication technology is propelling us from the era of 5G to the cusp of 6G, which promises ultra-high speeds, ultra-low latency, and seamless global connectivity. However, these ambitious goals require not only significant advancements in traditional communication technologies but also the integration of novel approaches to address emerging security and efficiency challenges. Quantum communication, particularly Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), offers a groundbreaking solution due to its inherent security based on the principles of quantum mechanics. This paper proposes an innovative architecture that combines QKD with Passive Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) for 6G fronthaul networks. The architecture, which includes components for signal transmission, processing, and monitoring, uses WDM to transmit both quantum signals and classical signals over a single fiber, optimizing resource utilization, ensuring security, and enhancing reliability. The quantum signals are detected by single-photon detectors to generate secure keys, while the classical signals carry regular communication data. The passive WDM system efficiently uses fiber resources, is cost-effective, and is easy to upgrade, making it highly compatible with classical optical communication. Extensive simulation experiments are conducted to evaluate the impact of key parameters such as transmission distance, attenuation coefficient, photon count per pulse, dark count rate, and detection efficiency on the secure key rate and quantum error rate. The results indicate that careful optimization of these parameters can substantially enhance system performance, making the architecture highly suitable for high-security transmission scenarios in 6G networks. This research provides new insights into the integration of quantum and classical communications in 6G fronthaul networks, demonstrating the potential of quantum-enhanced 6G networks.
The advancement of 6G networks demands high-capacity, ultra-low latency, and secure communication infrastructure. Traditional fronthaul solutions face significant challenges in meeting these demands due to increasing data traffic, network densification, and security vulnerabilities. To address these issues, this paper proposes an innovative 6G passive Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) fronthaul architecture integrated with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). By leveraging quantum cryptographic principles, our approach ensures unbreakable security and protects network transmissions from potential cyber threats and eavesdropping attacks. The proposed architecture effectively combines high-speed optical transmission with quantum-secured key exchange, optimizing network reliability and reducing security risks. Through comprehensive simulations, we evaluate key performance factors, including secure key rate (SKR), quantum bit error rate (QBER), detector efficiency, and quantum transmission loss. Results indicate that our architecture maintains high SKR with minimal QBER, even under challenging transmission conditions, ensuring robust quantum-secured communication. Additionally, the passive nature of WDM significantly reduces power consumption and maintenance costs, improving network sustainability. This research establishes a practical pathway for integrating quantum security into next-generation optical fronthaul networks, enabling highly secure, scalable, and efficient data transmission for future 6G applications, including autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and industrial IoT.
The rapid evolution of mobile communication technology from 5G to 6G brings great opportunities but also poses serious security and privacy challenges. Although 6G networks offer advantages such as ultra-low latency, extremely high data rates, and massive connectivity, their decentralized, AI-driven, and highly virtualized architecture makes them more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Traditional encryption methods are increasingly incapable of defending against emerging attacks. To address this issue, this paper proposes an innovative quantum-secured passive WDM fronthaul architecture that integrates BB84-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with existing WDM fiber communication technology, balancing high security with feasibility. The architecture adopts an asymmetric design: low-cost quantum transmitters are deployed at distributed AAU sites, while high-performance quantum receivers are centrally installed at DU sites. This significantly reduces hardware costs and simplifies large-scale deployment. In addition, a centralized Key Management Center (KMC) is introduced to enable dynamic key distribution and real-time updates, further enhancing the system’s security and operational efficiency. Simulation results show that under a fiber attenuation of 0.20 dB/km and a detection efficiency of 10%, the system can maintain a relatively high secure key rate and an acceptable quantum bit error rate (QBER) over a transmission distance of 170 km. Furthermore, by optimizing key parameters such as detection efficiency, fiber attenuation coefficient, and the average photon number per pulse, the system’s key generation rate and secure transmission distance can be further improved.
The transition from 5G to 6G networks introduces significant advancements in speed, latency, and connectivity, but also raises critical security concerns. The increasing number of devices that need to be plugged into the network makes the demand for enhanced security and efficiency paramount. This paper proposes a novel Quantum-Encrypted 6G Fronthaul Network Architecture, integrating quantum communication with passive wavelength division multiplexing technology to address the security challenges in next-generation networks. The architecture ensures theoretically unbreakable encryption by utilizing quantum key distribution techniques on top of the current passive WDM fronthaul network architecture. It reduces the difficulty and cost of network upgrades while maintaining high bandwidth utilization and scalability. By deploying quantum communication devices in Active Antenna Units and Distributed Units, the proposed system enhances the security of the fronthaul link, protecting against eavesdropping and cyber attacks. The results obtained through simulation demonstrate that the system is highly resistant to dark counts, detection efficiency, and photon pulse variations, ensuring reliable key distribution over long distances. This architecture not only provides a cost-effective upgrade path for existing 5G networks but also paves the way for secure, high-capacity communication in future 6G applications, such as autonomous systems, smart cities, and critical infrastructure.
With the global deployment of 5G networks, the demand for high bandwidth and low latency has driven innovations in fronthaul architectures. However, traditional solutions face challenges related to security and signal interference. This paper proposes an innovative quantum-enhanced converged wireless-fiber 5G fronthaul system that integrates quantum key distribution (QKD) technology with a passive wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) architecture to achieve physical-layer secure communication. The system deploys the quantum transmitter (Alice) at the active antenna unit (AAU) side and the receiver (Bob) at the distribution unit (DU) side, leveraging the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, quantum measurement collapse theory, and the no-cloning theorem to detect eavesdropping attempts. Simulation results demonstrate the significant impact of noise detection probability, fiber loss, and transmission distance on both the secure key rate and quantum bit error rate (QBER). Key findings highlight the need to minimize fiber loss, reduce transmission distance, lower filter loss, decrease noise detection probability, and improve detection efficiency. These optimizations collectively enhance the secure key rate while reducing the QBER, thereby improving overall system reliability. Remarkably, this solution achieves these security enhancements without requiring large-scale modifications to existing infrastructure, offering a practical and cost-effective upgrade path for current 5G deployments while providing a future-proof foundation for emerging 6G networks. The architecture’s inherent scalability and compatibility make it particularly suitable for high-security applications, including government communications, financial transactions, and critical infrastructure protection—bridging the gap between theoretical quantum security and practical wireless network implementation.
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is reshaping modern industries by enabling interconnected, intelligent systems that support real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated control. However, the growing complexity and scale of IIoT networks expose them to increasingly severe cybersecurity threats that traditional methods struggle to address. To meet these challenges, this paper proposes a novel architecture that integrates Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with passive Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology to secure 5G fronthaul communications between Active Antenna Units (AAUs) and Distributed Units (DUs). In this architecture, AAUs and DUs act as quantum communication entities, exchanging secure keys over optical fibers by allocating quantum and classical signals across different wavelengths. This hybrid approach not only enhances bandwidth efficiency but also significantly improves resistance to eavesdropping and tampering, which are critical vulnerabilities in IIoT environments. To evaluate system performance, simulations were conducted by varying key parameters, including attenuation coefficient, detection efficiency, and dark count rate. Simulation results demonstrate that lowering attenuation coefficients and dark count rates substantially improves the secure key generation rate and reduces the quantum bit error rate (QBER), while increased detection efficiency, although beneficial for signal acquisition, introduces trade-offs by potentially raising the QBER under noisy conditions. Figures presented provide clear illustrations of these trends. By merging quantum communication into IIoT frameworks, this study offers a forward-looking, scalable solution that ensures data confidentiality, integrity, and high-speed reliable communication, paving the way for the secure evolution of industrial networks in the era of Industry 4.0.