A transmitter device for quantum key distribution with a simplified structure

Abstract

The application discloses a sending terminal device for quantum key distribution, wherein a classical negotiation unit and a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module are arranged, and an optimization design is made on a control unit, so that only one general interface and one optical interface are needed to realize a data channel required by the sending terminal device, the peripheral interface configuration of the device is greatly simplified, and the size of the sending terminal device is further reduced. Meanwhile, a high data communication rate and strong expansibility can be provided to the outside, the sending terminal device is allowed to be conveniently fused with other classical devices, and the applicability of the sending terminal device is enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of quantum secure communication, and more particularly to a simplified transmitting device for quantum key distribution. Background Technology

[0002] To implement quantum key distribution, the transmitting device needs to communicate with various signals, including quantum optical signals, synchronization optical signals, negotiation signals, quantum keys, key management information, and device status information. Therefore, existing transmitting devices typically incorporate multiple hardware interfaces as corresponding data interfaces. For example... Figure 1 As shown, a typical existing transmitter device has five hardware interfaces: a key output interface for outputting quantum keys, a key management interface for transmitting and receiving key management data, a key negotiation interface for transmitting and receiving key negotiation data, a network management interface for transmitting and receiving network management data, and an optical interface for quantum optical signals / synchronous optical signals. This complex hardware interface structure not only requires a larger device size but also makes it difficult to meet the hardware interface adaptation requirements of different types of classical devices, resulting in shortcomings in portability and adaptability of current transmitter devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems in existing technologies, this invention discloses a transmitter device for quantum key distribution. By incorporating a classical negotiation unit, a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and optimized design of the control unit, the data channels required by the transmitter device can be implemented with only one general-purpose interface and one optical interface. This greatly simplifies the peripheral interface configuration of the device and further reduces its size. Simultaneously, it provides high data communication rates and strong scalability, allowing the transmitter device to be easily integrated with other classical devices, enhancing its applicability.

[0004] Specifically, the transmitting device for quantum key distribution includes a transmitting module, a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and a signal interface;

[0005] The signal interface includes only one general-purpose interface for digital signal communication with the outside and one optical interface for optical signal communication with the outside.

[0006] The transmitting module is configured to generate and output quantum optical signals, synchronization optical signals and negotiation optical signals, as well as negotiate to generate and output quantum keys;

[0007] The classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module is located between the transmitting module and the optical interface, and is used to perform wavelength division multiplexing on the quantum optical signal, the synchronization optical signal and the negotiation optical signal.

[0008] Furthermore, the transmitting module is configured to allow different types of data to be formed in the same digital signal, and the different types of data have different protocol frame formats.

[0009] The data types may include quantum keys, key management data, network management data, and / or device status information data.

[0010] Furthermore, the transmitting module includes a random number generation unit, a quantum optical signal generation unit, a synchronous optical signal generation unit, a classical negotiation unit, and a control unit;

[0011] The random number generation unit is used to generate random numbers;

[0012] The quantum optical signal generation unit is used to generate the quantum optical signal;

[0013] The synchronization optical signal generation unit is used to generate the synchronization optical signal;

[0014] The control unit is used to drive and control the quantum optical signal generation unit and the synchronous optical signal generation unit, as well as to negotiate and generate the quantum key and manage it.

[0015] The classical negotiation unit is located between the control unit and the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and is used to generate the negotiated optical signal through a photoelectric conversion process under the direct drive of the control unit.

[0016] Furthermore, the random number generation unit includes a random number chip; and / or, the classical negotiation unit includes a photoelectric converter.

[0017] Furthermore, the control unit includes a processor and a memory. The processor can be implemented using a separate CPU and FPGA, or using a processor with integrated driver functionality.

[0018] Furthermore, the quantum optical signal generation unit includes a signal optical driver, a signal light source, and an optical chip;

[0019] The signal light driver is used to output a signal light driving signal to the signal light source based on the control of the control unit;

[0020] The signal light source is used to generate signal light according to the signal light driving signal;

[0021] The optical chip is used to encode the signal light to generate the quantum light signal.

[0022] Furthermore, the synchronous optical signal generation unit includes a synchronous optical driver and a synchronous light source;

[0023] The synchronous optical driver is used to output a synchronous optical driving signal to the synchronous light source based on the control of the control unit;

[0024] The synchronous light source is used to generate the synchronous light signal according to the synchronous light driving signal.

[0025] Preferably, the transmitting device may have a two-dimensional planar dimension of no more than 120mm*220mm.

[0026] Preferably, the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module includes a wavelength division multiplexer.

[0027] Preferably, the general-purpose interface is a PCIe interface.

[0028] Preferably, the optical interface is an LC / UPC interface. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This illustrates a typical structure of a prior art transmitting device;

[0032] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a transmitter device for quantum key distribution according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0033] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are provided by way of example in order to fully convey the spirit of the invention to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0034] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a transmitter device for quantum key distribution according to the present invention is shown.

[0035] The transmitting device of the present invention may include a transmitting module and a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module.

[0036] The transmitting module is used to generate and output quantum optical signals, synchronization optical signals, and negotiation optical signals, as well as to generate and output quantum keys through negotiation.

[0037] The classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module forms an optical path connection with the transmitting module to perform wavelength division multiplexing on the quantum optical signal, synchronization optical signal and negotiation optical signal output by the transmitting module, so as to allow the quantum optical signal, synchronization optical signal and negotiation optical signal to share a single optical transmission channel (e.g., a single optical fiber channel).

[0038] As a preferred example, a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module may include a wavelength division multiplexer.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the transmitting module includes a random number generation unit, a quantum optical signal generation unit, a synchronous optical signal generation unit, a classical negotiation unit, and a control unit.

[0040] Random number generators are used to generate random numbers, such as quantum random numbers.

[0041] As an example, a random number generation unit may include a random number chip.

[0042] The control unit generates control signals to control the quantum optical signal generation unit and the synchronous optical signal generation unit to generate quantum optical signals and synchronous optical signals, directly drives the classical negotiation unit to generate negotiation optical signals, and generates quantum keys through negotiation (performing basis vector comparison, error correction, privacy amplification, etc.), and manages the quantum keys.

[0043] As an example, the control unit can generate control signals based on random numbers to control the quantum light signal generation unit to generate quantum light signals.

[0044] As an example, the control unit may include a processor and memory, such as Figure 2 As shown.

[0045] In this invention, the processor can be implemented using a separate CPU and FPGA, or it can be implemented using a processor with integrated driver functionality (such as ZYNQ).

[0046] Memory can be used to cache data.

[0047] A quantum optical signal generation unit is used to generate quantum optical signals and may include a signal optical driver, a signal light source, and an optical chip.

[0048] The signal light driver is used to send signal light driving signals to the signal light source according to the control signals of the control unit.

[0049] A signal light source is used to generate signal light based on a signal light driving signal. As an example, the signal light source can be a laser, such as a signal light laser.

[0050] The optical chip is used to encode the signal light to generate a quantum optical signal, which will be sent to the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module.

[0051] The synchronization optical signal generation unit is used to generate synchronization optical signals and may include a synchronization optical driver and a synchronization light source.

[0052] The synchronous optical driver is used to send synchronous optical drive signals to the synchronous light source according to the control signals of the control unit.

[0053] A synchrotron light source is used to generate a synchrotron light signal based on a synchrotron light drive signal, which will be sent to a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module. As an example, the synchrotron light source can be a laser, such as a synchrotron laser.

[0054] The classical negotiation unit is located between the control unit and the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and is used, for example, to be directly driven by the CPU in the control unit to generate the negotiation optical signal through the photoelectric conversion process.

[0055] As an example, a classic negotiation unit may include a photoelectric converter to generate a negotiation optical signal based on direct CPU drive.

[0056] Therefore, in the transmitting device of this invention, by setting a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, multiple different optical signals in the transmitting device can be multiplexed using the same optical path to achieve signal transmission. Simultaneously, through a classical negotiation unit, a negotiation optical signal is directly generated by the control unit using simple photoelectric conversion to carry negotiation data for the quantum key distribution process. Therefore, a single optical interface can be set on the transmitting device to connect to the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, satisfying the communication requirements of quantum optical signals, synchronization optical signals, and negotiation signals. This allows for a reduction in the number of external communication interfaces, avoiding the need for additional device space. It also effectively reduces the internal space occupied by the optical paths required for connecting various optical signals, such as quantum optical signals and synchronization optical signals, to their respective optical interfaces. Ultimately, this allows for a smaller size of the transmitting device, achieving miniaturization and high integration. Furthermore, since this transmitting device only requires a single optical fiber channel, it significantly saves optical fiber resources and is more convenient to use.

[0057] Furthermore, the control unit can also encode various types of data generated during device operation onto a single digital signal. This allows for the establishment of a universal interface on the transmitting device to meet the communication needs of various types of digital data, thereby reducing the number of external communication interfaces (such as key output interfaces, key management interfaces, network management interfaces, etc.) and avoiding the need for additional device space. Simultaneously, by setting a single universal interface as the unified interface for the device's digital data, it also allows for easy interfacing of this miniaturized transmitting device with classical devices to form an integrated device with both quantum key distribution and encryption / decryption capabilities.

[0058] Specifically, in this invention, the control unit can define corresponding protocol frame formats for different types of data, enabling different types of data to be sent to the host device via the same digital signal and a common interface. Upon receiving the digital signal, the host device can deframe the data using different protocol frame formats, separating the different types of data from the same digital signal and responding accordingly.

[0059] As a preferred example, the general-purpose interface can be a PCIe interface, thereby allowing the transmitting device to quickly and flexibly adapt to various classic devices. This general-purpose interface can, but is not limited to, be used to implement communication of digital signals such as quantum keys, key management data, network management data, and various device status data (e.g., temperature, anomaly information).

[0060] As a preferred example, the optical interface can be an LC / UPC interface, which allows the transmitting device to quickly connect to an external fiber optic channel so that quantum optical signals, synchronization optical signals and negotiation optical signals can be multiplexed from the fiber optic channel.

[0061] Therefore, compared to existing technologies that typically require multiple optical and data interfaces for the transmitting device (such as key negotiation interfaces, quantum optical signal / synchronous optical interfaces, key output interfaces, key management interfaces, network management interfaces, etc.), the transmitting device proposed in this invention, through the inclusion of a classical negotiation unit, a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and optimized design of the control unit, enables the data channel required by the transmitting device to be realized with only one general-purpose interface and one optical interface. This greatly simplifies the peripheral interface configuration of the device and further reduces its size; for example, the two-dimensional planar dimensions (length / width) of the transmitting device can be further reduced to 120mm*220mm. Simultaneously, it can provide high data communication rates and strong scalability, allowing the transmitting device to be easily integrated with other classical devices, enhancing its applicability.

[0062] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above embodiments are merely exemplary and used to illustrate the principles of the present invention. They do not limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various combinations, modifications and equivalent substitutions to the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A transmitter device for quantum key distribution, comprising a transmitter module, a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and a signal interface; The signal interface includes only one general-purpose interface for digital signal communication with the outside and one optical interface for optical signal communication with the outside. The transmitting module is configured to generate and output quantum optical signals, synchronization optical signals and negotiation optical signals, as well as negotiate to generate and output quantum keys; The classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module is located between the transmitting module and the optical interface, and is used to perform wavelength division multiplexing on the quantum optical signal, the synchronization optical signal and the negotiation optical signal; The transmitting module is configured to allow different types of data to be formed in the same digital signal.

2. The transmitting device as described in claim 1, wherein, The different types of data have different protocol frame formats.

3. The transmitting device as described in claim 2, wherein, The data includes quantum keys, key management data, network management data, and / or device status information data.

4. The transmitting device as described in claim 1, wherein, The transmitting module includes a random number generation unit, a quantum optical signal generation unit, a synchronous optical signal generation unit, a classical negotiation unit, and a control unit; The random number generation unit is used to generate random numbers; The quantum optical signal generation unit is used to generate the quantum optical signal; The synchronization optical signal generation unit is used to generate the synchronization optical signal; The control unit is used to drive and control the quantum optical signal generation unit and the synchronous optical signal generation unit, as well as to negotiate and generate the quantum key and manage it. The classical negotiation unit is located between the control unit and the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and is used to generate the negotiated optical signal through a photoelectric conversion process under the direct drive of the control unit.

5. The transmitting device as described in claim 4, wherein, The random number generation unit includes a random number chip; and / or, the classical negotiation unit includes a photoelectric converter.

6. The transmitting device as described in claim 4, wherein, The control unit includes a processor and a memory.

7. The transmitting device as described in claim 6, wherein, The processor is implemented using a separate CPU and FPGA, or using a processor with integrated driver functionality.

8. The transmitting device as described in claim 4, wherein, The quantum optical signal generation unit includes a signal optical driver, a signal light source, and an optical chip; The signal light driver is used to output a signal light driving signal to the signal light source based on the control of the control unit; The signal light source is used to generate signal light according to the signal light driving signal; The optical chip is used to encode the signal light to generate the quantum light signal.

9. The transmitting device as described in claim 4, wherein, The synchronous optical signal generation unit includes a synchronous optical driver and a synchronous light source; The synchronous optical driver is used to output a synchronous optical driving signal to the synchronous light source based on the control of the control unit; The synchronous light source is used to generate the synchronous light signal according to the synchronous light driving signal.

10. The transmitting end device as described in any one of claims 1-9, having a two-dimensional planar dimension not greater than 120mm * 220mm; and / or, The classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module includes a wavelength division multiplexer; and / or... The general-purpose interface is a PCIe interface; and / or, The optical interface is an LC / UPC interface.

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