System and method for proactively buffering quantum key distribution (QKD) key material
AssigneeevolutionQ Inc.
InventorsThomas Owen Parry, James Andrew Godfrey, Norbert Lütkenhaus
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Abstract
A system and method are provided for proactively buffering quantum key distribution (QKD) key material. The method includes monitoring key generation rates and surpluses at QKD devices at each node of a QKD link in a QKD network, retrieving surplus key material from the QKD devices at one or both nodes of the QKD link, and buffering the surplus key material in a local storage at one or both nodes in the QKD link. The surplus key material can be used to offset overhead introduced in securely relaying keys between non-adjacent demand pairs in the QKD network. The surplus key material can also be used to offset future transient decreases in key generation rates.
Claims21
A method of proactively buffering excess quantum key distribution (QKD) key material, the method comprising:
- monitoring key generation rates at QKD devices at each node of a QKD link in a QKD network relative to demand;
- in response to the monitoring, retrieving surplus key material from the QKD devices at one or both nodes of the QKD link;
- and
- buffering the surplus key material in a local storage at one or both nodes in the QKD link.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions for proactively buffering excess quantum key distribution (QKD) key material, comprising instructions for:
- monitoring key generation rates at QKD devices at each node of a QKD link in a QKD network relative to demand;
- in response to the monitoring, retrieving surplus key material from the QKD devices at one or both nodes of the QKD link;
- and
- buffering the surplus key material in a local storage at one or both nodes in the QKD link.
A system for proactively buffering excess quantum key distribution (QKD) key material, the system comprising a processor and memory, the memory storing computer executable instructions that when executed by the process cause the system to:
- monitor key generation rates at QKD devices at each node of a QKD link in a QKD network relative to demand;
- in response to the monitoring, retrieve surplus key material from the QKD devices at one or both nodes of the QKD link;
- and
- buffer the surplus key material in a local storage at one or both nodes in the QKD link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.