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

Optical Fiber Communication Conference

Dynamic Optimization in SDN-Enabled EONs with CV-QKD coexistence

Carlos Hernández-Chulde, Masab Iqbal, Michela Svaluto Moreolo, Ricard Vilalta, R. Muñoz, Ramon Casellas, Ricardo Martí­nez

Published Jan 1, 2025• 4 citations
Publisher

Abstract

This paper presents dynamic spectrum allocation strategies to mitigate noise impact on quantum channels, reduce blocking probability for quantum and classical channels, and optimize spectrum utilization leveraging an SDN architecture for integrating CV-QKD in EONs. © 2025 The Author(s)
DOI
10.1364/ofc.2025.tu2h.5

Related papers

Dynamic Optimization in SDN-Enabled EONs with CV-QKD coexistence

Carlos Hernández-Chulde, Masab Iqbal, MS Moreolo +4 more

•Jan 1, 2025•0 citations

SDN-Enabled Flexible Quantum Channel Allocation for CV-QKD Coexistence with Programmable Sliceable Transceivers

Michela Svaluto Moreolo, Masab Iqbal, Laia Nadal +16 more

The developed open-source TeraFlowSDN controller is integrated with a real CV-QKD system tailored to support quantum channel remote configuration, which is experimentally demonstrated for dynamic allocation and facilitating coexistence in scenarios with programmable sliceable transceivers, towards QKD integration into optical networks for quantum secure connectivity. ©2025 The Author(s)

European Conference on Optical Communication•Sep 28, 2025•2 citations

Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution Coexisting with Classical Channels

Masab Iqbal, Michela Svaluto Moreolo, Arturo Villegas +2 more

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers a secure method for generating cryptographic keys crucial for 6G future networks. It relies on quantum mechanics principles to guarantee protection against potential threats from quantum computers. However, QKD signal is fragile and can be easily degraded by external noise sources. Therefore, integrating QKD into existing networks poses a challenge, as it must seamlessly coexist with classical channels, in optical fiber links utilizing wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). Continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD), which leverages optical coherent technology, is seen as a promising solution for this integration within current telecom infrastructure. Additionally, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) presents opportunities for enhancing efficiency and facilitating dynamic management in coexistence scenarios. This paper reports key noise sources that degrade CV-QKD performance in coexistence and the parameters contributing to these noise sources such as classical channel (CC) power, separation between CC and quantum channel (QC) and position of QC. We also report strategies for effectively managing coexistence scenarios using SDN. We focus on the coexistence of CVQKD in presence of classical channels spaced according a 100 GHz ITU-T grid over a 10 km link length, providing guidelines to optimize the performance.

International Conference on Transparent Optical Networks•Jul 14, 2024•6 citations

SDN-enabled flexible CV-QKD for coexistence with programmable transceivers

Michela Svaluto Moreolo, Francisco Javier Vilchez, Joel Compte +22 more

Optical transport networks are evolving toward unprecedented capacity, sustainability, and security requirements. We present an SDN-enabled architecture for integrating continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) into programmable optical networks, adopting sliceable bandwidth/bitrate variable transceivers (S-BVTs) and/or pluggable modules. The proposed solution combines a TeraFlowSDN-based SD-QKD network controller with a reconfigurable CV-QKD system through interfaces compliant with ETSI GS QKD 015. Experimental validation demonstrates real-time monitoring and dynamic wavelength (re)configuration, facilitating coexistence. Alternative dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) co-propagation scenarios are presented, and flexible channel allocation strategies are analyzed and discussed. Simulation results further evaluate evolutionary scenarios involving coexistence with 400G pluggable modules at 0 dBm launch power. The analysis identifies the maximum number of supported classical channels (up to 20 over a 20 km fiber link) and suitable spectral allocation in accordance with the experimental results. Furthermore, we compare the coexistence performance of CV-QKD adopting discrete components and an early version of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) receiver, supporting half the number of 400G channels. Performance enhancement can be envisioned with further PIC design improvement and optimization. The obtained results confirm the viability of SDN-controlled CV-QKD as an enabler for quantum secure operation in future optical transport networks and a promising evolutionary path toward the adoption of this technology.

Journal of Optical Communications and Networking•May 9, 2026•2 citations

SDN-enabled CV-QKD and classical channels coexistence: key insights for dense wavelength division multiplexing

Iqbal M., Svaluto Moreolo M., Muñoz R. +8 more

•Jan 1, 2025•0 citations

SDN-Enabled Continuous-Variable QKD in Coexistence with 8×200 Gb/s 16-QAM Classical Channels

Masab Iqbal, Arturo Villegas, Michela Svaluto Moreolo +6 more

We analyze the coexistence of continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) and 8×200Gb/s 16-QAM classical channels, evaluating parameters such as quantum channel spectral position, classical channel power, guard-band, and the number of exchanged quantum symbols. Additionally, we assess the performance of classical signals in terms of bit error rate (BER) to jointly analyze the impact of coexistence on both classical and quantum channels. These parameters can be exposed to a Software Defined Network (SDN) controller to dynamically optimize the performance of the CV-QKD system. Our results demonstrate that CV-QKD achieves successful key generation with a 100 GHz guard-band with classical channels at −10 dBm and 200 GHz at 0 dBm. The channel position within the spectrum has minimal impact, and lower key rates for short distances do not necessitate asymptotic convergence in quantum symbols. [−20, −10] dBm per channel with 100 GHz guard-band provides error-free classical signals and positive key generation.

International Conference on Optical Network Design and Modeling (ONDM)•May 6, 2024•11 citations
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers a secure method for generating cryptographic keys crucial for 6G future networks. It relies on quantum mechanics principles to guarantee protection against potential threats from quantum computers. However, QKD signal is fragile and can be easily degraded by external noise sources. Therefore, integrating QKD into existing networks poses a challenge, as it must seamlessly coexist with classical channels, in optical fiber links utilizing wavelength division multiplexing (WDM). Continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD), which leverages optical coherent technology, is seen as a promising solution for this integration within current telecom infrastructure. Additionally, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) presents opportunities for enhancing efficiency and facilitating dynamic management in coexistence scenarios. This paper reports key noise sources that degrade CV-QKD performance in coexistence and the parameters contributing to these noise sources such as classical channel (CC) power, separation between CC and quantum channel (QC) and position of QC. We also report strategies for effectively managing coexistence scenarios using SDN. We focus on the coexistence of CVQKD in presence of classical channels spaced according a 100 GHz ITU-T grid over a 10 km link length, providing guidelines to optimize the performance.
Optical transport networks are evolving toward unprecedented capacity, sustainability, and security requirements. We present an SDN-enabled architecture for integrating continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) into programmable optical networks, adopting sliceable bandwidth/bitrate variable transceivers (S-BVTs) and/or pluggable modules. The proposed solution combines a TeraFlowSDN-based SD-QKD network controller with a reconfigurable CV-QKD system through interfaces compliant with ETSI GS QKD 015. Experimental validation demonstrates real-time monitoring and dynamic wavelength (re)configuration, facilitating coexistence. Alternative dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) co-propagation scenarios are presented, and flexible channel allocation strategies are analyzed and discussed. Simulation results further evaluate evolutionary scenarios involving coexistence with 400G pluggable modules at 0 dBm launch power. The analysis identifies the maximum number of supported classical channels (up to 20 over a 20 km fiber link) and suitable spectral allocation in accordance with the experimental results. Furthermore, we compare the coexistence performance of CV-QKD adopting discrete components and an early version of a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) receiver, supporting half the number of 400G channels. Performance enhancement can be envisioned with further PIC design improvement and optimization. The obtained results confirm the viability of SDN-controlled CV-QKD as an enabler for quantum secure operation in future optical transport networks and a promising evolutionary path toward the adoption of this technology.
We analyze the coexistence of continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) and 8×200Gb/s 16-QAM classical channels, evaluating parameters such as quantum channel spectral position, classical channel power, guard-band, and the number of exchanged quantum symbols. Additionally, we assess the performance of classical signals in terms of bit error rate (BER) to jointly analyze the impact of coexistence on both classical and quantum channels. These parameters can be exposed to a Software Defined Network (SDN) controller to dynamically optimize the performance of the CV-QKD system. Our results demonstrate that CV-QKD achieves successful key generation with a 100 GHz guard-band with classical channels at −10 dBm and 200 GHz at 0 dBm. The channel position within the spectrum has minimal impact, and lower key rates for short distances do not necessitate asymptotic convergence in quantum symbols. [−20, −10] dBm per channel with 100 GHz guard-band provides error-free classical signals and positive key generation.