The main bandwidth bottleneck in today's networks is in the access segment. To address that bottleneck, broadband fiber access technologies such as passive optical networks (PONs) are an indispensable solution. The industry has selected time-division multiplexing (TDM) for current PON deployments. To satisfy future bandwidth demands, however, next-generation PON systems are being investigated to provide even higher performance. In this paper, we first review current TDM-PONs; we designate them as generation C. Next, we review next-generation PON systems, which we categorize into C+1 and C+2 generations. We expect C+1 systems to provide economic near-term bandwidth upgrade by overlaying new services on current TDM-PONs. For the long term, C+2 systems will provide more dramatic system improvement using wavelength division multiplexing technologies. Some C+2 architectures require new infrastructures and/or equipment, whereas others employ a more evolutionary approach. We also review key enabling components and technologies for C+1 and C+2 generations and point out important topics for future research.

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Next-Generation Optical Access Networks

A wide area quantum key distribution (QKD) network deployed on communication infrastructures provided by China Mobile Ltd. is demonstrated. Three cities and two metropolitan area QKD networks were linked up to form the Hefei-Chaohu-Wuhu wide area QKD network with over 150 kilometers coverage area, in which Hefei metropolitan area QKD network was a typical full-mesh core network to offer all-to-all interconnections, and Wuhu metropolitan area QKD network was a representative quantum access network with point-to-multipoint configuration. The whole wide area QKD network ran for more than 5000 hours, from 21 December 2011 to 19 July 2012, and part of the network stopped until last December. To adapt to the complex and volatile field environment, the Faraday-Michelson QKD system with several stability measures was adopted when we designed QKD devices. Through standardized design of QKD devices, resolution of symmetry problem of QKD devices, and seamless switching in dynamic QKD network, we realized the effective integration between point-to-point QKD techniques and networking schemes.

Field and long-term demonstration of a wide area quantum key distribution network

Modern optical networking techniques have the potential to greatly extend the applicability of quantum communications by moving beyond simple point-to-point optical links and by leveraging existing fibre infrastructures. We experimentally demonstrate many of the fundamental capabilities that are required. These include optical-layer multiplexing, switching and routing of quantum signals; quantum key distribution (QKD) in a dynamically reconfigured optical network; and coexistence of quantum signals with strong conventional telecom traffic on the same fibre. We successfully operate QKD at 1310 nm over a fibre shared with four optically amplified data channels near 1550 nm. We identify the dominant impairment as spontaneous anti-Stokes Raman scattering of the strong signals, quantify its impact, and measure and model its propagation through fibre. We describe a quantum networking architecture which can provide the flexibility and scalability likely to be critical for supporting widespread deployment of quantum applications.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1367-2630/11/10/105001/pdf

Optical networking for quantum key distribution and quantum communications

The last mile continues to be a major bottleneck in the Internet. Its low bandwidth and flexibility prevents the deployment of new services and the development of new applications. In this paper we present a summary of current efforts in access networks research, focusing in particular on fiber optic solutions. We present the Stanford University aCCESS (SUCCESS) initiative within the Photonics & Networking Research Laboratory (PNRL). As part of this initiative, two novel network architectures have been developed, SUCCESS-HPON and SUCCESS-DWA, which propose a smooth migration path from current TDM-PONs to future higher bandwidth, cost-efficient, scalable WDM-PONs. In addition, we present SUCCESS-LCO, a spectral-shaping line coding technique that enables a cost-effective shorter-term capacity upgrade of existing TDM-PONs. We discuss as well what we believe are the main open research areas in optical access networks.

/pdf/next-generation-optical-access-networks-4qh1ygmhi5.pdf

Next Generation Optical Access Networks

Methods and apparatus for quantum key distribution are described, in particular including methods and networks 300 arranged to improve and/or ensure the security of data transmitted thereby by (i) ensuring a certain level of loss within at least part of the network, (ii) placing a penultimate and an endpoint nodes in situated in a secure second enclave, (iii) analysing a transmitted bit stream to ensure that it does not provide an unacceptable amount of information about the key that may be generated therefrom, and/or (iv) varying the order in which bits are used to generate a key.

Quantum key distribution

The performance of four passive optical network topologies in implementing multi-user quantum key distribution is compared. The networks considered are the passive-star network, the optical-ring network based on the Sagnac interferometer, the wavelength-routed network, and the wavelength-addressed bus network. An analysis of the quantum bit-error rate and sifted key rate for each of these topologies is used to determine their suitability for providing service to networks of various sizes.

Comparison of four multi-user quantum key distribution schemes over passive optical networks

A six-user quantum key distribution network implemented on a bus topology is experimentally demonstrated. The network employs the BB84 protocol to transmit cryptographic keys encoded unto the phase states of highly attenuated laser light to distances of up to 31 km in a standard telecommunication-grade fiber. Each user on the network is assigned a unique wavelength for communication with the network server at a time. The measured quantum bit error rate and sifted key rate compare favorably with theoretical results

Experimental multiuser quantum key distribution network using a wavelength-addressed bus architecture

A six-user quantum key distribution over a bus network spanning a total distance 30km of standard telecommunication-grade
fiber is demonstrated. Each user on the network has one unique address wavelength channel for establishing
secure quantum cryptographic keys with a central network server. The address wavelengths are all in the C-band region
of between 1553 nm and 1557 nm, making the system compatible with present fiber-optic communication network
infrastructures. The quantum bit error rate measurements made on the network agree favorably with theoretically
calculated values.

Demonstration of a six-user quantum key distribution network on a bus architecture

Quantum cryptography applies the uncertainty principle and the no-cloning theorem to allow to parties to share a secret key over an ultra-secure link. Present quantum cryptography technologies provide encryption key distribution only between two users. However, practical implementations of encryption key distribution schemes require establishing secure quantum communications amongst multiple users. This paper looks at some of the advantages and drawbacks of some common network topologies that could be used in sending cryptographic keys across a network consisting of multiple users. These topologies are the star, ring, and bus networks. Their performances are compared and analyzed using quantum bit error rate analysis. The paper also presents an experimental demonstration of a six-user quantum key distribution network implemented on a bus topology.

Quantum cryptography on multi-user network architectures

Quantum cryptography applies the uncertainty principle and the no-cloning theorem of quantum mechanics to provide ultra-secure encryption key distribution between two parties. Present quantum cryptography technologies provide encryption key distribution between two parties. However, practical implementations encryption key distribution schemes require establishing secure quantum communications amongst multiple users. In this talk, we survey some of the state of the art quantum encryption deployment in communication networks. We will also discuss some common topologies that are being considered for multi-user quantum encryption networks. The performance of the multi-user quantum key distribution systems is then compared for four different optical network topologies: the Sagnac-based fiber ring, the wavelength routed, the passive star and the bus network. Their performances are compared and analyzed using quantum bit error rate analysis.

Alan C. Beal

Papers

Comparison of four multi-user quantum key distribution schemes over passive optical networks

Experimental multiuser quantum key distribution network using a wavelength-addressed bus architecture

Demonstration of a six-user quantum key distribution network on a bus architecture

Quantum cryptography on multi-user network architectures

Multi-user quantum cryptography