QKD integration with telecoms fibre infrastructure: trusted node architectures, DWDM compatibility, and deployment constraints.
From quantum mechanics to key generation in operational fibre.
Protocol selection for different network segment types. Key areas include: BB84 and decoy-state BB84: the dominant prepare-and-measure protocol for commercial deployment; CV-QKD (GG02): coherent detection, compatibility with standard telecom receivers, and distance trade-offs; MDI-QKD and twin-field QKD: removing detector side-channel attacks and extending span distances beyond 300 km.
Trusted nodes, metro rings, and long-haul relay chains. Key areas include: Point-to-point QKD links: fibre loss budgets, secret key rates (1-10 kbps at 50-100 km on standard SMF-28), and DWDM coexistence with classical traffic; Trusted node relay networks: key relay protocols, physical security requirements, and the Beijing-Shanghai 2,000 km backbone as reference architecture; Metro ring topologies versus star (point-to-multipoint) architectures: trade-offs for backhaul aggregation points and core interconnects.
Facilitator-led analysis with delegate interpretation and discussion. Key areas include: Characterising a backhaul fibre segment: attenuation, chromatic dispersion, Raman noise from co-propagating classical channels; Modelling expected secret key rates for BB84 and CV-QKD given measured channel parameters; Evaluating trusted node placement: optimising node count against physical security cost and key relay latency.
ETSI QKD standards and key injection into existing network security protocols. Key areas include: ETSI GS QKD 004 (Application Interface) and GS QKD 014 (Protocol and data format): practical implementation requirements; Key injection into TLS 1.3, IPsec IKEv2, and MACsec using the ETSI KMS interface; Hybrid QKD plus PQC deployment: defence-in-depth strategy and network segment prioritisation (where QKD adds value over PQC alone).
Independent assessment of commercial QKD systems for telecoms operators. Key areas include: Commercial QKD systems including multiplexed and trusted-node deployments: capability comparison and published field trial results; Total cost of ownership: QKD hardware, trusted node infrastructure, fibre allocation, and operational overhead versus PQC-only migration; Decision framework: which network segments justify QKD investment and which are better served by PQC alone.
Q&A and Deployment Planning: this session covers the core principles and technical underpinnings relevant to the subject area.
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