Control system and control method for a quantum communication network

Abstract

The application provides a control system for a quantum communication network, comprising: a plurality of node control units, including a first node control unit and a second node control unit, which are coupled through a plurality of quantum channels; a central control unit, which is coupled with the plurality of node control units respectively, is configured to receive a request for communication sent by the first node control unit to the second node control unit, select a first quantum channel from the plurality of quantum channels, and send a channel switching instruction to the first node control unit and the second node control unit. The control system provided by the application arranges a node control unit at each node of the quantum communication network, and through the cooperation of the central control unit and each node control unit, the communication efficiency and communication security of quantum direct communication are ensured; meanwhile, a quantum channel is selected through a preset algorithm, so that the attenuation and loss of quantum optical signals in the transmission process are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of quantum direct communication technology, and more particularly to a control system for a quantum communication network, a method for controlling a quantum communication network using the same, and a non-transient computer-readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Quantum direct communication (QD) refers to a technology that transmits information using quantum states as carriers. Its security is guaranteed by the principles of quantum physics, ensuring a high level of security. The application of QD networks is one of the hallmarks of the internet's evolution from the electronic age to the quantum age. With the rapid development of quantum computing, the security of classical cryptography based on complex mathematical problems faces significant challenges. QD, with its inherent physical security, will play a crucial role in next-generation secure communication. Proposed in 2000, QD has undergone over 20 years of development, progressing through four stages. The first stage (2000-2004) established basic concepts and theories, proposing typical QD protocols such as entanglement-based efficient protocols, entanglement-based two-step protocols, and the single-photon-based DL04 protocol. The second stage (2005-2015) focused on protocol development and application exploration, with numerous theoretical protocols proposed and the potential uses of QD extensively explored. The third stage (2016-2019) involved experimental verification of principles and prototype development. In this phase, entanglement-based quantum direct communication protocols and single-photon quantum direct communication schemes were experimentally verified. The fourth phase, from 2020 to the present, focuses on product development and practical application. Quantum direct communication networks enable interconnection between network users, featuring long-distance, high-speed communication, eavesdropping detection and prevention capabilities, and real-time eavesdropping alarms at user terminals. Based on secure relay technology, quantum direct communication networks can be continuously expanded as needed, thereby building large-scale quantum networks and facilitating the internet's leap from the electronic age to the quantum age.

[0003] In existing technologies, Ethernet-based communication networks are not suitable for quantum-safe direct communication for the following reasons:

[0004] First, in a quantum-secure direct communication network system, each node is typically connected to multiple other nodes. When an end user on a node has a communication need, they must send a communication request signal to the central control unit of the quantum-secure direct communication network, which then issues a fiber optic path switching signal. During the communication between the node controller and the central control unit of the quantum-secure direct communication network, the end user on that node sends transmission data to the quantum-secure direct communication device through the node controller. This transmission data is exposed in the line connecting to the central control unit, which is prone to data leakage. That is, the central control unit or the path connecting the central control unit and the node controller could eavesdrop on or intercept the transmission data, thus negating the purpose of secure communication.

[0005] Second, in a quantum-secure direct communication network, each node needs to be equipped with an end device that supports the operation of the quantum communication protocol. Due to the limitations of quantum state modulation, the transmitter and receiver cannot be reused, and each transmitter / receiver can only communicate simplexly with one receiver / transmitter at a time.

[0006] Third, in a quantum-secure direct communication network system, it is necessary to coordinate the node controllers of each user access node and select quantum channels that do not conflict for quantum-secure direct communication. This requires the central control unit to have a coordination function and be able to arrange routing switching at each node according to the communication requests sent by each node controller.

[0007] Fourth, since quantum optical signals are single-photon signals or decoy-state weak coherent optical pulse signals, the signal strength is relatively weak. Therefore, relay nodes need to be added during long-distance transmission to receive, decode, re-encode the transmitted signal onto quantum optical pulses and forward it, so as to avoid attenuation and loss of quantum optical signals during transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of at least one deficiency of the prior art, the present invention provides a control system for a quantum communication network, comprising:

[0009] Multiple node control units, including a first node control unit and a second node control unit, are coupled together through multiple quantum channels;

[0010] The central control unit is coupled to the plurality of node control units respectively, and is configured to receive a request sent by the first node control unit to communicate with the second node control unit, select a first quantum channel among the plurality of quantum channels, and send a channel switching command to the first node control unit and the second node control unit.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, wherein the plurality of node control units further includes a third node control unit, the first quantum channel being coupled to the first node control unit and the second node control unit via the third node control unit, and the central control unit being further configured to:

[0012] Send a channel switching command to the third node control unit.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the central control unit is further configured to:

[0014] Based on the topology of the quantum communication network and the occupancy status of the multiple quantum channels, a preset algorithm is used to select the first quantum channel.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the node control unit is disposed at a user access node or a relay node.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the node control unit is coupled to a QSDC quantum direct communication device and a user terminal located at the same user access node, respectively, and the node control unit is configured to:

[0017] Forward the data to be transmitted sent by the user terminal to the quantum direct communication device; and / or

[0018] The transmitted data received by the quantum direct communication device is forwarded to the user terminal.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the control system further includes: a channel switching component, disposed at a user access node or a relay node, coupled to the node control unit located at the same node, the node control unit being further configured to:

[0020] In response to the channel switching command, the channel switching component located on the same node is controlled to switch to the corresponding quantum channel.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the node control unit is further configured to:

[0022] After the channel switching component switches to the corresponding quantum channel, it sends a channel switching completion command to the central control unit.

[0023] The central control unit is further configured to:

[0024] In response to the channel switching completion command sent by the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit, a channel initialization command is sent to the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the central control unit is further configured to:

[0026] In response to the channel initialization completion command sent by the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit, a communication start command is sent to the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit;

[0027] In response to a termination request command sent by the first node control unit or the second node control unit, a termination communication command is sent to the node control unit that is being passively terminated.

[0028] The present invention also provides a method for controlling a quantum communication network using the control system described above, comprising:

[0029] The central control unit receives a request from the first node control unit to communicate with the second node control unit, selects the first quantum channel among the multiple quantum channels, and sends a channel switching command to the first node control unit and the second node control unit.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, wherein the plurality of node control units further includes a third node control unit, the first quantum channel being coupled to the first node control unit and the second node control unit via the third node control unit, the method further comprising:

[0031] The central control unit sends a channel switching command to the third node control unit.

[0032] The present invention also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored computer-readable instructions thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method described above.

[0033] The control system and method for quantum communication networks provided by this invention deploy node control units at each node of the quantum communication network. A central control unit coordinates all node control units. In response to communication request commands issued by each node control unit, the central control unit selects a suitable quantum channel and issues a channel switching command. In response to channel switching completion commands, channel initialization completion commands, and termination request commands issued by each node control unit, the central control unit issues a channel initialization command, a communication start command, and a communication termination command, respectively. Through the coordinated cooperation between the central control unit and each node control unit, the communication efficiency and security of the quantum direct communication device are ensured. At the same time, the quantum channel is selected through a preset algorithm, avoiding attenuation and loss of quantum optical signals during transmission. Attached Figure Description

[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings, without exceeding the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0035] Figure 1 The network topology of a quantum direct communication network is shown.

[0036] Figure 2 An embodiment of the present invention provides a control system for a quantum communication network;

[0037] Figure 3 The control process of a control system for a quantum communication network provided by an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

[0038] Figure 4 A node control unit in a control system for a quantum communication network, provided by an embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated.

[0039] Figure 5 This invention illustrates a method for controlling a quantum communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] The embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. Furthermore, any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the ideas of this application, and on the specific implementation methods and application scope of this application, are all within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0042] This invention provides a control system 100 for a quantum direct communication network, such as... Figure 1As shown, the quantum direct communication network may have various different topologies, and all quantum direct communication networks with different topologies are applicable to the control system 100 provided by this invention. The quantum direct communication network includes multiple nodes, including multiple access nodes and at least one relay node. QSDC quantum direct communication devices (QSDC quantum direct communication transceivers) are installed at each of the multiple nodes, enabling quantum direct communication between the nodes. Channel selection, data uploading and downloading, and command sending and response are all completed collaboratively by the node control units and the central control unit located at each node. The control system 100 for the quantum direct communication network provided by this invention improves the operating efficiency of the quantum direct communication network and ensures the communication security of quantum direct communication.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides a control system 100 for a quantum communication network, including multiple node control units 110 and a central control unit 120. The multiple node control units 110 are interconnected through multiple quantum channels.

[0044] Node control unit 110 is located at a user access node or a relay node. The node control units 110 of two communicating user access nodes can be connected via a single quantum line (e.g., a single optical fiber), or via multiple quantum lines through one or more other node control units 110. The single or multiple quantum lines connecting two communicating user access nodes are called a quantum channel.

[0045] In this design, the length of a quantum circuit (e.g., a section of optical fiber) connecting the two node control units 110 is less than the maximum distance for quantum direct communication. Since quantum direct communication uses single-photon or decoy-state weakly coherent light as the information carrier, the intensity of the quantum optical signal is extremely weak. Furthermore, the quantum optical signal undergoes attenuation and loss during transmission through the quantum channel. Therefore, the length of the quantum circuit connecting the two node control units 110 needs to be set to be less than the maximum distance for quantum direct communication, which is determined based on the attenuation of the quantum optical signal during transmission through the quantum channel.

[0046] For two user access nodes that are physically far apart, if a quantum line (e.g., an optical fiber) is used to directly connect the node control units 110 of the two user access nodes, the quantum optical signal carrying valid information will attenuate to the point that it cannot be effectively measured and read during transmission over the quantum line. Therefore, a relay node needs to be set up between the two user access nodes.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in a quantum direct communication network, both user access nodes and relay nodes are equipped with quantum direct communication devices (quantum direct communication transceivers). The two user access nodes that communicate with each other include an information sender and an information receiver. For the quantum optical signal carrying valid information sent by the information sender, the relay node receives and forwards it. After being received and forwarded by one or more relay nodes, it finally reaches the information receiver, thus avoiding the loss of valid information caused by the attenuation and loss of quantum optical signals.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in a quantum communication network, a user access node serves both as a node connecting user terminals to the quantum communication network, transmitting / receiving quantum optical signals carrying valid information, and as a relay node, providing a relay for other user access nodes to transmit / receive valid information.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a QSDC quantum direct communication device (QSDC quantum direct communication transceiver) located at a user access node or relay node is configured as follows:

[0050] Encoding effective information in quantum states, preparing and emitting quantum light pulses (single-photon pulses or decoy-state weakly coherent light pulses); and

[0051] Receive quantum light pulses and measure the quantum state of the quantum light pulses to obtain the data information they carry.

[0052] The QSDC quantum direct communication device and the node control unit 110, which are located at the same user access node or relay node, can also be connected by a line (such as an optical fiber) for transmitting quantum optical signals. The QSDC quantum direct communication device generates quantum optical pulses and sends them through the node control unit 110 located at the same user access node or relay node. After receiving the quantum optical pulses, the node control unit 110 also outputs them to the QSDC quantum direct communication device located at the same user access node or relay node for quantum state measurement and reading.

[0053] Multiple node control units 110 are interconnected through multiple quantum channels, meaning that QSDC quantum direct communication devices located at multiple user access nodes or relay nodes are interconnected through multiple quantum channels. The node control unit 110 located at the same user access node or relay node controls the selection of quantum channels by the QSDC quantum direct communication device, as well as the data exchange (upload and download) between the QSDC quantum direct communication device and the user terminal.

[0054] The central control unit 120 is coupled to multiple node control units 110, including a first node control unit 110-1 and a second node control unit 110-2. The central control unit 120 is configured as follows:

[0055] The system receives a request from the first node control unit 110-1 to communicate with the second node control unit 110-2, selects the first quantum channel among the multiple quantum channels, and sends a channel switching command to the first node control unit 110-1 and the second node control unit 110-2.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of node control units further includes a third node control unit 110-3, wherein the first quantum channel is connected to the first node control unit 110-1 and the second node control unit 110-2 via the third node control unit 110-3, and the central control unit 120 is further configured to:

[0057] Send a channel switching command to the third node control unit 110-3.

[0058] The central control unit 120, in conjunction with the node control units 110 located at each user access node or relay node, controls the QSDC quantum direct communication devices located at each user access node or relay node. The specific process is as follows (e.g.) Figure 3 As shown):

[0059] When a user terminal located at a certain user access node has a communication requirement, the user terminal sends a communication request to the node control unit (let's call it node control unit 110-1) of the user access node. The node control unit 110-1 parses the communication request sent by the user terminal and obtains the routing information and access terminal device type of the user terminal.

[0060] Node control unit 110-1 sends a communication request command to central control unit 120. The communication request command includes the routing information and access terminal device type of the user terminal. Node control unit 110-1 simultaneously sends the access terminal device type of the user terminal to the QSDC quantum direct communication device located in the same user access node.

[0061] The central control unit 120 obtains a first quantum channel based on the topology of the quantum direct communication network and the currently occupied quantum channels using a preset algorithm. This first quantum channel connects the user access node where the user terminal requesting communication resides, and the user access node where the requested user resides. Optionally, the first quantum channel passes through a relay node. The central control unit 120 sends channel switching instructions to the node control unit 110-1 that issued the communication request instruction, the node control unit of the user access node where the requested user resides (let's say node control unit 110-2), and other node control units through which the first quantum channel passes (let's say the first quantum channel passes through a relay node, and the relay node has node control unit 110-3). These channel switching instructions include routing allocation data packets.

[0062] After receiving the channel switching command, the node control units 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3 parse the routing allocation data packet, obtain the routing lookup table, and determine the quantum channel to be switched according to the routing lookup table.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control system 100 of the quantum communication network further includes:

[0064] Multiple channel switching components are located at user access nodes or relay nodes and are communicatively connected to a node control unit 110 located at the same user access node or relay node. The node control unit 110 is configured to:

[0065] The channel switching component is controlled to perform channel switching according to the channel switching command sent by the central control unit 120.

[0066] After the channel handover is completed, the node control units 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3 send a handover completion command to the central control unit 120. In response to the channel handover completion command sent by the node control units 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3, the central control unit 120 updates the channel resources and sends a channel initialization command.

[0067] After receiving the channel initialization command, node control units 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 control the QSDC quantum direct communication devices located at the same user access node or relay node to perform channel initialization, including channel security detection. Optionally, multiple node control units 110 are also connected via a classical channel, and the QSDC quantum direct communication devices located at the same user access node or relay node are also connected to the node control units 110 via lines capable of transmitting classical information (including electrical or optical signals). The channel security detection includes:

[0068] Simultaneously or subsequently, when the QSDC quantum direct communication device transmits a portion of quantum light pulses, the node control unit 110 located at the same user access node or relay node sends measurement basis vectors and location information via a classical channel. The quantum light pulses carry this valid information through quantum states; if intercepted or measured by an eavesdropper en route, the quantum states of the quantum light pulses collapse. The receiver of the portion of the quantum light pulses simultaneously or shortly receives the measurement basis vectors and location information transmitted via the classical channel, and performs basis matching based on these vectors and location information to determine the bit error rate. This allows the determination of whether the quantum light pulses have been measured during transmission, thereby detecting the security of the quantum channel transmission.

[0069] After completing the channel security detection, the node control units 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 send a channel initialization completion command to the central control unit 120. In response to the channel initialization completion command sent by the node control units 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3, the central control unit 120 sends a communication start command.

[0070] Node control units 110-1, 110-2, and 110-3 control the QSDC quantum direct communication devices located at the same access node or relay node to initiate the interactive process of quantum pulse preparation, transmission and reception, and measurement.

[0071] Specifically, the node control unit 110 is configured to upload and download data between the QSDC quantum direct communication device and the user terminal during quantum direct communication. This includes:

[0072] Forward the data to be transmitted from the user terminal to the quantum direct communication device for encoding (preparing it onto a quantum pulse) and transmission; and / or

[0073] The transmitted data received by the quantum direct communication device is decoded and then forwarded to the user terminal.

[0074] When either party in the communication sends a request to terminate the communication, let's assume that the user terminal of the user access node where the node control unit 110-2 is located sends the request to terminate the communication. The user terminal sends the termination request to the node control unit 110-2 of the user access node. The node control unit 110-2 sends the termination request instruction to the central control unit 120. The central control unit 120 sends the termination communication instruction to the other node control units 110-1 and 110-3 that were passively terminated, reclaims the quantum channel resources, and updates the channel resource list.

[0075] The control system for quantum communication networks provided by this invention deploys node control units at each node of the quantum communication network. A central control unit coordinates all node control units. In response to communication request commands issued by each node control unit, the central control unit selects a suitable quantum channel and issues a channel switching command. In response to channel switching completion commands, channel initialization completion commands, and termination request commands issued by each node control unit, the central control unit issues a channel initialization command, a communication start command, and a communication termination command, respectively. Through the coordinated cooperation between the central control unit and each node control unit, the communication efficiency and security of the quantum direct communication device are ensured. At the same time, the quantum channel is selected through a preset algorithm, avoiding attenuation and loss of quantum optical signals during transmission.

[0076] The present invention also provides an improvement to the node control unit 110 located in a user access node or a relay node, as described below:

[0077] According to one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the node control unit 110 includes at least three Ethernet interfaces 111 (111-1, 111-2, and 111-3 as shown in the figure), wherein:

[0078] Node control unit 110 is connected to central control unit 120 via a first Ethernet interface (111-1 as shown in the figure); to quantum-secure direct communication device 200 via a second Ethernet interface (111-2 as shown in the figure); and to user terminal 300 via a third Ethernet interface (111-3 as shown in the figure). Node control unit 110 is configured as follows:

[0079] Forward the data to be transmitted sent by user terminal 300 to quantum-safe direct communication device 120; and / or

[0080] The transmitted data received by the quantum-safe direct communication device 120 is forwarded to the user terminal 300;

[0081] Specifically, when exchanging data with user terminal 300 and / or quantum-safe direct communication device 120, the first Ethernet interface 111-1 is shut down.

[0082] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the at least three Ethernet interfaces 111 respectively include an Ethernet connector and an Ethernet interface circuit. Optionally, the Ethernet interface circuit of the first Ethernet interface 111-1 can be designed independently, so that the node control unit 110 can independently control the opening or closing of the first Ethernet interface 111-1, that is, to physically isolate the line connected to the central control unit 120 of the quantum secure direct communication network.

[0083] According to one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the control system 100 for a quantum communication network also includes a channel switching component 130 located at a user access node or relay node, and the channel switching component 130 is communicatively connected to the node control unit 110. The node control unit 110 is further configured to:

[0084] The system receives a channel switching command from the quantum central control unit 120 and controls the channel switching component 130 to switch to the corresponding quantum channel according to the channel switching command.

[0085] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the node control unit 110 is further configured to:

[0086] During the cold start of the control system 100, the node control program is loaded, the node control program is initialized, and the peripheral units are initialized in sequence to realize the detection and alarm functions of the peripheral units. The node control unit 110 runs the node control program, including:

[0087] The device receives communication requests sent by user terminal 300, and simultaneously receives and stores data to be transmitted (i.e., communication data packets) sent by user terminal 300, and forwards the data to be transmitted to quantum secure direct communication device 120.

[0088] The system parses the communication request sent by user terminal 300 to obtain the routing information and access terminal device type of user terminal 300, sends a communication request command to the central control unit 120, and also sends the routing information and access terminal device type of user terminal 300 to the central control unit 120. Finally, it sends the access terminal device type of user terminal 300 to the quantum-secure direct communication device 200.

[0089] The system receives a channel switching command issued by the central control unit 120. The channel switching command includes a routing allocation data packet. The system parses the routing allocation data packet to obtain a routing lookup table and determines the channel to be switched based on the routing lookup table.

[0090] Control the quantum-safe direct communication device 200 to perform channel initialization.

[0091] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the node control unit 110 further includes a storage unit, and the node control unit 110 is further configured to:

[0092] Receives data to be transmitted from user terminal 300 and stores it in the storage unit;

[0093] After forwarding the data to be transmitted stored in the storage unit to the quantum-safe direct communication device 200, the data to be transmitted in the storage unit is deleted.

[0094] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the node receives transmission data (i.e., communication data packets) sent by another node as the receiver in a communication between two parties, the node control unit 110 is further configured to:

[0095] Receives the transmitted data sent by the quantum-safe direct communication device 200 and stores it in the storage unit;

[0096] After forwarding the transmission data stored in the storage unit to the user terminal 300, the transmission data in the storage unit is deleted.

[0097] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the node control unit 110 is further configured to:

[0098] The control quantum secure direct communication device 200 initiates channel initialization and stops forwarding the data to be transmitted sent by the user terminal 300 to the quantum secure direct communication device 200;

[0099] After the quantum-safe direct communication device 200 completes channel initialization, it continues to forward the data to be transmitted sent by the user terminal 300 to the quantum-safe direct communication device 200.

[0100] During the channel initialization process of the quantum-safe direct communication device 200, the node control unit 110 stops forwarding the data to be transmitted (communication data packets). After the quantum-safe direct communication device 200 completes initialization, it may optionally send an initialization completion command to the node control unit 110. After receiving the initialization completion command, the node control unit 110 continues to forward the data to be transmitted (communication data packets) stored in the storage unit. The quantum-safe direct communication device 200 sends the received data to be transmitted (communication data packets) to the receiving node's quantum-safe direct communication device 200 through a quantum channel (such as a fiber optic path or multiple fiber optic paths through relay nodes).

[0101] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the control system 100, the channel switching component 130 further includes: a level converter and an optical switch array. Wherein:

[0102] The level converter is connected to the node control unit 110 and configured to receive electrical signals sent by the node control unit 110 and convert them into multiple output voltages.

[0103] One end of the optical switch array is connected to a level converter, and the other end is connected to multiple optical fibers. It is configured to turn on or off one or more optical switches in the optical switch array 132 by using the multiple output voltages output by the level converter. The multiple optical fibers are quantum channels for transmitting data, and each optical fiber is connected to another node (user access node or relay node) in the quantum secure direct communication network.

[0104] The node control unit 110 receives routing allocation data packets from the central control unit 120 of the quantum secure direct communication network, parses the routing allocation data packets to obtain a routing lookup table, the routing lookup table is determined by the layout of the optical switch array, and the node control unit 110 determines the optical fiber path to be connected according to the routing lookup table.

[0105] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the control system 100, the node control unit 110 is further configured to:

[0106] Send a channel switching completion command to the central control unit 120;

[0107] After receiving the channel switching completion command sent by the multiple node control units 110 on the selected first quantum channel, the central control unit 120 issues a channel initialization command;

[0108] After receiving the channel initialization command, the node control unit 110 controls the quantum-secure direct communication device 200 to perform channel initialization. This channel initialization includes: preparation of line quantum states, transmission of quantum optical pulse signals, reception of quantum optical pulse detection data, data filtering of base pairs, and statistical analysis of bit error rate (BER) indicators. After channel initialization, if the BER and count rate meet the requirements, the quantum-secure direct communication devices of both parties reach a state where secure communication is possible, i.e., secure transmission of communication data is possible.

[0109] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control system 100 further includes a power supply unit and a clock unit.

[0110] The power supply unit is configured to provide power to at least three Ethernet interfaces 112, node control unit 110, and channel switching component 130.

[0111] The clock unit is configured to receive the channel switching command and the channel initialization command in real time from the node control unit 110, and provide clock pulse signals.

[0112] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in the control system 100, the node control unit 110 can be connected to multiple user terminals 300 through multiple Ethernet interfaces 111, or it can be connected to multiple user terminals 300 through a hub or other device, so as to complete quantum-secure direct communication between different user terminals of the same user access node.

[0113] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the node control unit 110, the central control unit 120, the quantum-safe direct communication device 200, and the user terminal 300 use the TCP protocol; the quantum-safe direct communication protocol is used between the quantum-safe direct communication devices of multiple nodes in the quantum-safe direct communication network.

[0114] The node control unit provided by this invention can be optionally deployed on each node of a quantum-secure direct communication network. When a user terminal on a node has a communication need, it sends a communication request to the node control unit through the corresponding Ethernet interface, and simultaneously forwards the transmission data to the quantum-secure direct communication device through the node control unit. After parsing the communication request, the node control unit sends a communication request instruction, including the terminal user's routing information and the terminal device type, to the central control unit through the corresponding Ethernet interface. After receiving the communication request instruction, the central control unit selects a suitable quantum channel and sends a channel switching instruction, including a routing data packet, to the node control units of both communicating parties on the quantum channel and the node control units of the relay node. After receiving the routing data packet, the node control unit determines the quantum channel (such as an optical fiber path) to be connected through a routing lookup table. The node control unit controls the optical switch array through a level converter to connect the corresponding optical fiber path, and the quantum-secure direct communication device performs channel initialization (warm-up). After the channel initialization is completed, the node control unit continues to forward communication data packets. The quantum-secure direct communication device transmits the transmission data to the next node on the quantum channel through the connected optical fiber path. After one or more forwardings, the quantum-secure direct communication device of the final node receives the transmission data and forwards it to the user terminal through the node control unit of that node. The quantum-safe direct communication device, user terminal, central control unit and node control units of each network node are connected via Ethernet cable and use TCP protocol. The quantum-safe direct communication devices between each pair of nodes are connected via quantum channels (such as optical fibers) through the node control units between each pair of nodes and use quantum-safe direct communication protocol.

[0115] According to one embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 5 As shown, the present invention also provides a method 10 for controlling a quantum communication network using the control system 100 described above, comprising steps S101 to S102. Wherein:

[0116] In step S101, the central control unit receives a request from the first node control unit to communicate with the second node control unit, selects the first quantum channel among the multiple quantum channels, and sends a channel switching command to the first node control unit and the second node control unit.

[0117] The plurality of node control units further includes a third node control unit, and the first quantum channel is coupled to the first node control unit and the second node control unit via the third node control unit.

[0118] In step S102, the central control unit sends a channel switching command to the third node control unit.

[0119] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method 10 for controlling a quantum communication network further includes:

[0120] In response to the channel switching completion command sent by the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit, the central control unit sends a channel initialization command to the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit.

[0121] In response to the channel initialization completion command sent by the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit, the central control unit sends a communication start command to the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit.

[0122] In response to a termination request command sent by the first node control unit or the second node control unit, the central control unit sends a termination communication command to the node control unit that is being passively terminated.

[0123] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method 10 for controlling a quantum communication network as described above.

Claims

1. A control system for quantum communication networks, characterized in that, include: Multiple node control units, including a first node control unit and a second node control unit, are coupled through multiple quantum channels, wherein the multiple node control units are located at a user access node or a relay node; A central control unit, coupled to the plurality of node control units respectively, is configured to receive a request from the first node control unit to communicate with the second node control unit, select a first quantum channel from the plurality of quantum channels, and send a channel switching command to the first node control unit and the second node control unit; and A channel switching component, located at a user access node or a relay node, is coupled to the node control unit located on the same node, the node control unit being further configured to: In response to the channel switching command, the channel switching components located on the same node are controlled to switch to the corresponding quantum channel; The channel switching component includes: A level converter, connected to the node control unit, is configured to receive electrical signals sent by the node control unit and convert them into multiple output voltages; An optical switch array, one end of which is connected to the level converter and the other end of which is connected to multiple optical fibers, is configured to turn on or off one or more optical switches in the optical switch array through the multiple output voltages output by the level converter.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of node control units further includes a third node control unit, the first quantum channel is coupled to the first node control unit and the second node control unit via the third node control unit, and the central control unit is further configured to: Send a channel switching command to the third node control unit.

3. The control system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the central control unit is further configured to: Based on the topology of the quantum communication network and the occupancy status of the multiple quantum channels, a preset algorithm is used to select the first quantum channel.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the node control unit is coupled to the QSDC quantum direct communication device and the user terminal located at the same user access node, respectively, and the node control unit is configured to: Forward the data to be transmitted sent by the user terminal to the quantum direct communication device; and / or The transmitted data received by the quantum direct communication device is forwarded to the user terminal.

5. The control system of claim 2, wherein the node control unit is further configured to: After the channel switching component switches to the corresponding quantum channel, it sends a channel switching completion command to the central control unit. The central control unit is further configured to: In response to the channel switching completion command sent by the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit, a channel initialization command is sent to the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit.

6. The control system of claim 5, wherein the central control unit is further configured to: In response to the channel initialization completion command sent by the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit, a communication start command is sent to the first node control unit, the second node control unit, and the third node control unit; In response to a termination request command sent by the first node control unit or the second node control unit, a termination communication command is sent to the node control unit that is being passively terminated.

7. A method for controlling a quantum communication network using the control system as described in any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, include: The central control unit receives a request from the first node control unit to communicate with the second node control unit, selects the first quantum channel among the multiple quantum channels, and sends a channel switching command to the first node control unit and the second node control unit.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of node control units further comprises a third node control unit, the first quantum channel being coupled to the first node control unit and the second node control unit via the third node control unit, the method further comprising: The central control unit sends a channel switching command to the third node control unit.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method as described in claim 7 or 8.

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