Journal of Lightwave Technology

Synergistic Resource Allocation With Key Generation and Consumption Matching in Quantum Secured Multicore Fiber Optical Networks

Chuan Xie, Yongmei Sun, Y J Wang, Yaoxian Gao, Fengkai Sun, Yuefeng Ji

Published Dec 24, 2025• 1 citation

Abstract

Integrating quantum key distribution (QKD) with multicore fiber (MCF) optical networks to build large-capacity and high-security networks is a promising method to meet the traffic and security demand in the future. In this paper, an innovative algorithm named QKD Transceiver Planning for Key Generation and Consumption Matching (QTP-KGCM) is proposed to solve the problem of mismatch between key generation and consumption. On demand of achieving synergistic transmission of classical and quantum signal, a heuristic resource allocation algorithm named Classical and Quantum signals Layered Interleaved (CQLI) is proposed. Furthermore, this paper pro poses the Deep Q Network based Synergistic Resource Allocation (DQN-based SRA) algorithm in response to the limited effective ness, which is a common issue in heuristic resource allocation algorithms. Simulation results show that QTP-KGCM algorithm can ensure that secure key rate of generation exceeds consumption rate 94.7% of the time in real-time key consumption scenario, while secure key quantity of generation exceeds consumption 99.5% of the time in cumulative key consumption scenario. Compared with existing conventional channel allocation algorithm, CQLI algorithm achieves a maximum increase of 0.485 in synergistic degree. DQN-based SRA algorithm demonstrates superior synergistic degree performance, achieving a maximum improvement of 0.213 and 0.198 in synergistic degree compared with the CQLI algorithm and existing synergistic core and wave length allocation algorithm, respectively.

DOI: 10.1109/jlt.2025.3648025

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