QKD Fiber Switching for Wavelength-Multiplexed Key Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing QKD systems face challenges in maintaining encryption key transmission when optical fiber disconnections occur, especially when increasing transmission speed through optical wavelength multiplexing with a limited number of fibers, leading to operational inefficiencies and interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A QKD system with multiplexing apparatuses that dynamically switch optical fibers between quantum and classical communication paths, utilizing a monitor and controller to manage fiber connections and optimize wavelength multiplexing, ensuring continuous encryption key transmission even with fiber defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If optical wavelength multiplexing is used to increase encryption key transmission speed with a limited number of optical fibers, then transmission speed is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to interruptions when fiber disconnections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the wavelength parameter of optical signals to switch between quantum key distribution channels and classical communication channels. When a fiber disconnection is detected, the system reallocates wavelengths to restore transmission, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving high transmission speed through multiplexing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic wavelength allocation and multiplexing demultiplexing based on real-time fiber connection status. The system continuously monitors transmission quality and adjusts wavelength assignments accordingly, enabling adaptive response to disconnections while maintaining optimal transmission speed under normal conditions
2Reliability
If multiple optical fibers are used to ensure continuous transmission, then reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes optical fibers serve multiple functions by implementing wavelength division multiplexing where the same physical fiber carries both quantum key distribution signals and classical communication signals at different wavelengths. This reduces the total number of fibers needed while maintaining reliability through intelligent wavelength reallocation upon disconnection
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces wavelength as an intermediary resource to manage fiber connections. By controlling which wavelengths are assigned to which functions dynamically, the system can maintain reliable transmission with fewer physical fibers, as the wavelength layer provides an additional dimension for fault tolerance and resource management
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures uninterrupted encryption key transmission by adaptively managing fiber connections and reducing the impact of disconnections, enhancing transmission speed and reliability with a limited number of optical fibers.
Implementation Method 1
optical wavelength multiplexing with a limited number of optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a QKD system includes transmitters configured to transmit quantum signals and classical signals. An electronic apparatus receives transmission statuses of optical fibers. The optical fibers includes a first optical fiber in which the quantum signals are wavelength-multiplexed and a second optical fiber in which the classical signals are wavelength-multiplexed. The electronic apparatus receives a transmission status of the quantum signals flowing through the first optical fiber and a transmission status of the classical signals flowing through the second optical fiber, and issues, to at least one of a first multiplexing apparatus and the second multiplexing apparatus, an instruction to switch the first optical fiber or the second optical fiber to another optical fiber selected from the optical fibers according to a receiving result.