Optical Link Design for Quantum Key Distribution-Integrated Optical Access Networks

To achieve commercial scalability, fiber-based quantum key distribution (QKD) systems must be integrated into existing optical communication infrastructures, rather than deployed exclusively on dedicated dark fibers. Integrating QKD into optical access networks (OANs) would be particularly advantage...

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Main Authors: Sunghyun Bae, Seok-Tae Koh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Photonics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/5/418
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author Sunghyun Bae
Seok-Tae Koh
author_facet Sunghyun Bae
Seok-Tae Koh
author_sort Sunghyun Bae
collection DOAJ
description To achieve commercial scalability, fiber-based quantum key distribution (QKD) systems must be integrated into existing optical communication infrastructures, rather than deployed exclusively on dedicated dark fibers. Integrating QKD into optical access networks (OANs) would be particularly advantageous, as these networks provide direct connectivity to end users for whom security is critical. Such integration can address the inherent security vulnerabilities in current OANs, which are primarily based on time-division multiplexing passive optical networks (TDM-PONs). However, integrating QKD into PONs poses significant challenges due to Raman noise and other detrimental effects induced by PON signals, which intensify as the launched power of PONs increases to support higher transmission speeds. In this study, we review recent advancements in both QKD and access network technologies, evaluate the technical feasibility of QKD-OAN integration, and propose cost-effective strategies to facilitate the widespread deployment of QKD in future access networks.
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spelling doaj-art-d1bf2162714f41d9a45a9bb9d0e25c2c2025-08-20T03:47:57ZengMDPI AGPhotonics2304-67322025-04-0112541810.3390/photonics12050418Optical Link Design for Quantum Key Distribution-Integrated Optical Access NetworksSunghyun Bae0Seok-Tae Koh1Department of Electronics Information & Communication Engineering, Kangwon National University, Samcheok 25913, Republic of KoreaSchool of Electrical Engineering, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of KoreaTo achieve commercial scalability, fiber-based quantum key distribution (QKD) systems must be integrated into existing optical communication infrastructures, rather than deployed exclusively on dedicated dark fibers. Integrating QKD into optical access networks (OANs) would be particularly advantageous, as these networks provide direct connectivity to end users for whom security is critical. Such integration can address the inherent security vulnerabilities in current OANs, which are primarily based on time-division multiplexing passive optical networks (TDM-PONs). However, integrating QKD into PONs poses significant challenges due to Raman noise and other detrimental effects induced by PON signals, which intensify as the launched power of PONs increases to support higher transmission speeds. In this study, we review recent advancements in both QKD and access network technologies, evaluate the technical feasibility of QKD-OAN integration, and propose cost-effective strategies to facilitate the widespread deployment of QKD in future access networks.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/5/418quantum key distributionoptical access networkpassive optical network
spellingShingle Sunghyun Bae
Seok-Tae Koh
Optical Link Design for Quantum Key Distribution-Integrated Optical Access Networks
Photonics
quantum key distribution
optical access network
passive optical network
title Optical Link Design for Quantum Key Distribution-Integrated Optical Access Networks
title_full Optical Link Design for Quantum Key Distribution-Integrated Optical Access Networks
title_fullStr Optical Link Design for Quantum Key Distribution-Integrated Optical Access Networks
title_full_unstemmed Optical Link Design for Quantum Key Distribution-Integrated Optical Access Networks
title_short Optical Link Design for Quantum Key Distribution-Integrated Optical Access Networks
title_sort optical link design for quantum key distribution integrated optical access networks
topic quantum key distribution
optical access network
passive optical network
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6732/12/5/418
work_keys_str_mv AT sunghyunbae opticallinkdesignforquantumkeydistributionintegratedopticalaccessnetworks
AT seoktaekoh opticallinkdesignforquantumkeydistributionintegratedopticalaccessnetworks