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Wide-area Quantum Key Distribution Network Model Based on Trusted Relaying

Chao Yang, Hongqi ZHANG, Jinhai SU, Kai WANG, Huangqin JIANG, Guang ZENG

Published Jan 1, 2018• 0 citations

Abstract

In order to explore the solution of the problems of the short of knowledge and immature theoretical research about large scale,specifically wide-area,quantum key distribution network research,the structure model,the secret key model and the active model of the trusted relaying quantum key distribution network were proposed from the viewpoints of structure,inner secret key relationship and working principle respectively for the trusted relaying quantum key distribution network which is the only real practical one so far.Firstly,from the viewpoint of system theory,the quantum key distribution network was divided into five layers according to the basic principle of key relaying based on the existing structure model.The constitution of each layer and the relationship between them were explained in detail.Secondly,from the viewpoint of information theory,the quantum key distribution network was abstracted as a key information graph according to the key sharing relationship among all nodes and the node and edge were formally defined.Therefore,the secret key information in the five layers quantum key distribution network could be explained by the graph theory in details.Lastly,from the viewpoint of the cybernetics, the key distribution process was resolved into two basic parts of key relationship establishment and secrete key generation,then the works of the quantum key distribution network could be explained by the development of key information graphs.The analysis showed that the proposed quantum key distribution network model can achieve the goal of hierarchical,parallel and pipelining key distribution,and can ensure the security of key distribution,which establishes the foundation for the future theoretical and technology research.

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The point-to-point quantum key distribution (QKD) system is limited by the transmission distance. So, the wide area QKD network with multiple endpoints is the research focus of this study. The relay-node scenario and key relay protocols provide the solutions to the QKD network. The early key relay protocols require the relay nodes to be reliable. Once the relay nodes become compromised, the whole network is insecure. In this paper, we extend the chain structure of the public-XOR(exclusive OR)-key scheme with two endpoints to the complex network with multiple endpoints. The relay nodes in our scheme do not need encryption actions, decryption actions, or storage XOR keys, which simplifies the system compared with other key distribution schemes based on trusted relay nodes. Our scheme not only improves the practical performance and simplifies the system’s complexity, but it also ensures that the security is not reduced. Specifically, we rigorously demonstrate that an eavesdropper can never access the key shared by the users of the network as long as the process of generating XOR keys and destroying the original keys is secure. In addition, we discuss the information leakage of the practical QKD network from the perspective of the unicity distance.

This study proposes a group key service node placement method for quantum key distribution (QKD) networks based on partially trusted relays, aiming to optimize network structure, improve key distribution efficiency, reduce communication delay, and ensure transmission integrity and confidentiality. Based on graph theory, a key information model for the quantum key distribution network is established, which defines node types, functions, and connectivity. Leveraging the secure transmission protocol of quantum keys, the unconditional security of the key during transmission is ensured. Furthermore, this study proposes a QKD network architecture incorporating partially trusted relays, which combines trusted and untrusted relay technologies. An improved p-median model is introduced and solved using a greedy algorithm to ensure secure quantum key distribution and optimal deployment of group key service nodes. Experimental results demonstrate that the location of group key service nodes in quantum key distribution network ensures the minimum number of key service nodes and minimizes the path length from network demand nodes to group key service nodes. Furthermore, this method significantly improves the key distribution efficiency, success rate, security, energy consumption, resource consumption, network coverage, and blind area of quantum key distribution network.

A better routing scheme becomes more significant with the quantum key distribution network developing. This paper makes use of pre-relay, parallel work and shortest path first strategy and proposes a hierarchical routing scheme with the perspective of parallel processing on wide-area quantum key distribution network based on trusted relay. Then the paper proposes the hierarchical routing algorithm. Through theoretical analysis and experiment result, it shows that the hierarchical routing scheme can effectively shorten the key transmission time and improve the efficiency of key transmission, which is better than the single layer routing scheme.

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks allow multiple users to generate and share secret quantum keys with unconditional security. Although many schemes of QKD networks have been presented, they are only concentrated on the system realization and physical implementations. For the complete practical quantum network, a succinct theoretic model that systematically describes the working processes from physical schemes to key process protocols, from network topology to key management, and from quantum communication to classical communication is still absent. One would hope that research and experience have shown that there are certain succinct model in the design of communication network. With demonstration of the different QKD links and the four primary types of quantum networks including probability multiplexing, wavelength multiplexing, time multiplexing and quantum multiplexing, we suggest a layer model for QKD networks which will be compatible with different implementations and protocols. We divide it into four main layers by their functional independency while defining each layer's services and responsibilities in detail, orderly named quantum links layer, quantum networks layer, quantum key distribution protocols process layer, and keys management layer. It will be helpful for the systematic design and construction of real QKD networks.

Secure communication makes the widespread use of telecommunication networks and services possible. With the constant progress of computing and mathematics, new cryptographic methods are being diligently developed. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a promising technology that provides an Information-Theoretically Secure (ITS) solution to the secret-key agreement problem between two remote parties. QKD networks based on trusted relay nodes are built to provide service to a larger number of parties at arbitrary distances. They function as an add-on technology to traditional networks, generating, managing, distributing, and supplying ITS cryptographic keys. Since key resources are limited, integrating QKD network services into critical infrastructures necessitates effective key management. As a result, this article provides a comprehensive review of key management approaches for trusted-relay QKD networks. They are analyzed to facilitate the identification of potential strategies and accelerate the future development of QKD networks.

The long-distance transmission of quantum secret key is a challenge for quantum communication. As far as the current relay technology is concerned, the trusted relay technology is a more practical scheme. However, the trusted relay technology requires every relay node to be trusted, but in practical applications, the security of some relay nodes cannot be guaranteed. How to overcome the security problem of trusted relay technology and realize the security key distribution of remote quantum network has become a new problem. Therefore, in this paper, a method of quantum key distribution in ring network is proposed under the condition of the coexistence of trusted and untrusted repeaters, and proposes a partially-trusted based routing algorithm (PT-RA). This scheme effectively solves the security problem of key distribution in ring backbone network. And simulation results show that PT-RA can significantly improve key distribution success rate compared with the original trusted relay technology.