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International Journal of Scientific Research in Network Security and Communication

S-RMCSA: A Security-Aware Routing and Spectrum Assignment Framework with QKD and Physical-Layer Encryption in SDM-EONs

Smita Paira, Sourabh Chandra

Published Aug 31, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present S-RMCSA, a new security-aware routing and spectrum assignment framework for space-division multiplexing elastic optical networks (SDM-EONs). Unlike traditional approaches that focus only on blocking and crosstalk, S-RMCSA integrates quantum key distribution (QKD) and physical-layer encryption directly into network resource allocation. Each traffic demand is assigned a security profile that decides whether a dedicated QKD lane is placed on an isolated fiber core and whether chaos masking or constellation twisting is applied for added protection. A multi-objective cost function balances crosstalk, fragmentation, encryption overhead, and survivability. Simulation results on the NSFNET with 7-core MCF links show that S-RMCSA lowers blocking probability by up to 29%, improves crosstalk margin by over 5 dB, and maintains QKD key rates above 10 kbps over 500 km. Importantly, it secures more than 97% of critical demands with minimal spectral overhead, enabling confidential and resilient next-generation optical networks.

DOI
10.26438/ijsrnsc.v13i4.287

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We present S-RMCSA, a new security-aware routing and spectrum assignment framework for space-division multiplexing elastic optical networks (SDM-EONs). Unlike traditional approaches that focus only on blocking and crosstalk, S-RMCSA integrates quantum key distribution (QKD) and physical-layer encryption directly into network resource allocation. Each traffic demand is assigned a security profile that decides whether a dedicated QKD lane is placed on an isolated fiber core and whether chaos masking or constellation twisting is applied for added protection. A multi-objective cost function balances crosstalk, fragmentation, encryption overhead, and survivability. Simulation results on the NSFNET with 7-core MCF links show that S-RMCSA lowers blocking probability by up to 29%, improves crosstalk margin by over 5 dB, and maintains QKD key rates above 10 kbps over 500 km. Importantly, it secures more than 97% of critical demands with minimal spectral overhead, enabling confidential and resilient next-generation optical networks.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is considered as a promising solution for secure communications. Nevertheless, challenges such as the elevated cost of dark-fibers used for QKD, quantum transceivers (Q-TRx), and security issues with QKD trusted nodes impede its widespread deployment. This paper explores a multi-band elastic optical network (MB-EON) for implementing QKD on the existing fiber infrastructure, augmenting network capacity without the need for new fiber installations. The careful transmission of classical and quantum channels in MB-EON necessitates impairment-aware algorithms to shield quantum channels from potential disruptions caused by classical channels. To tackle this, we conduct an in-depth analysis of various noise sources to pinpoint the optimal key transfer scenario. Our study further includes calculations for the upper bound of the public interaction channel (PICh) bit rate in the BB84-Decoy protocol and the secret key rate (SKR). Furthermore, a time division multiplexing technique is proposed to allocate bit-rate of each Q-TRx and PICh-TRx among received demands and grooming them as a one connection. Furthermore, we delve into the QKD trusted node placement method as a robust solution for long-distance QKD, effectively minimizing Q-TRx usage and selecting less QKD trusted nodes to bolster network security by proposing the hot-links algorithm (HLA). Finally, three routing, modulation format, spectrum, and time slot assignment (RMSTA) algorithms are proposed and compared. The simulation results reveal that the proposed HLA trusted node placement method with flexible routing of classical channels and QKD channels demonstrates significant improvements in key transfer efficiency, network security, and blocking probability compared to the fixed-distance trusted node placement with joint routing of CChs and QKD channels.
Elastic Optical Network (EON) is a promising solution to address the high capacity, low latency, and flexibility requirements of the upcoming 5th-generation (5G) networks. Furthermore, Multi-Core Fibers (MCFs) and Space Division Multiplexing (SDM) technique can be utilized to overcome the capacity limitation of the conventional Single Mode Fibers (SMFs). On the other hand, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an effective solution to address the security issues in 5G transport networks. In this paper, we investigate the performance of QKD over elastic optical networks with multi-core fibers and address the resource allocation problem for quantum and classical channels of QKD (QChs and CChs) and conventional data channels (DChs). To do so, we calculate the background noise caused by different noise sources and accordingly calculate the Secret Key Rate (SKR) in quantum channels. Then, we propose an Integer Linear Programming formulation and a heuristic algorithm to allocate network resources (spectrum, core, and links) to QChs, CChs, and DChs, with the objective of maximizing the secret key rate and minimizing the number of utilized frequency slots (FSs). Finally, we evaluate the proposed ILP and heuristic algorithm in terms of SKR and the number of utilized FSs. In our simulations, we consider core and metro topologies, fixed and distance adaptive launch power for classical signals, different fiber specifications, and different assumptions regarding the relative locations of quantum and classical channels in a multi-core fiber.
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.
Quantum-key-distribution (QKD) enabled optical networks can provide secure keys for different kinds of applications to ensure the high security of communication processes. As the number of wavelength channels in a single-core fiber is limited, space division multiplexing (SDM) has been considered to be a valuable technique to provide more wavelength resources, which solves the problem of insufficient channel capacity. Due to the rapid expansion of data volume, the SDM-based QKD network has been regarded as an important paradigm. At the same time, resource allocation in multi-core optical networks is a problem worthy of studying. In this work, four routing, core, and wavelength allocation (RCWA) algorithms are proposed in the multi-core optical network for quantum service requests and classical service requests, which are referred to as RCWA without perception (RCWA-WP), RCWA with crosstalk perception (RCWA-XTP), RCWA with spectrum perception (RCWA-SP), and RCWA with core perception (RCWA-CP). Simulations are carried out to evaluate the network performance in terms of blocking probability, key utilization, and average crosstalk intensity. The comparative results indicate that the RCWA-SP algorithm can improve network performance and reduce the blocking probability, while the RCWA-XTP algorithm can reduce inter-core crosstalk during transmission.
We propose a routing and wavelength allocation method in spatial division multiplexing (SDM) based on quantum key distribution (QKD) optical networks. Especially, for the routing and wavelength allocation of quantum services, we design an auxilia/y matrix-based core allocation and a routing method based on inter-core crosstalk (IC-XT) evaluation. For classic services in SDM optical networks, we design a resource allocation method. Through the proposed hybrid resource allocation strategy, the IC-XT of quantum services can be reducedt Moreover, the amount of available secret keys stored by the node has also increased in SDM optical networks.