PacketLight Networks, in partnership with Toshiba, recently showcased quantum key distribution (QKD) over DWDM links, highlighting the growing interest in quantum communications networks.
This demonstration highlighted the successful integration of Toshiba’s QKD solution with PacketLight’s OTN encrypted transport solutions.
The two companies have collaborated to build efficient, secure, and scalable quantum-safe communication networks. This feat was validated by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) of Japan at the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Okinawa testbeds in February.
The PacketLight and Toshiba teams have successfully validated the compatibility of quantum communication systems with optical networking infrastructure. Through a detailed series of successful evaluations, they demonstrated the delivery of QKD alongside a high number of conventional DWDM data signals, and showcased quantum secure data transmission with QKD encryption. This is a step towards the practical implementation of quantum communications.
The validation was conducted over two types of QKD networks in Japan: a long-haul link in Okinawa and a multiplexed QKD link in Sapporo.
In a unique demonstration, Toshiba’s long-haul QKD system in Okinawa utilized PacketLight’s PL-4000M Muxponder to transmit two 200G wavelengths over a 74-km link with the Quantum channel running over 1550 nm. The link performance was measured using a 100G tester, showing 100% throughput and low latency, in compliance with RFC2544 standard.
Toshiba’s multiplexed QKD system in Sapporo utilized PacketLight’s PL-4000M Muxponder to transmit a 400G wavelength, with the Quantum channel running over 1310 nm.
PacketLight and Toshiba demonstrate that QKD-secured signals can share the same space as classical data transmissions on the same fiber network and show how QKD technology can be deployed on today’s existing networks without the need for a separate fiber. Using QKD on existing fiber networks provides significant cost savings and increases deployment speed as it removes the need to use dedicated fiber for QKD transmission.
Being part of developing quantum computing technology since 1999, Toshiba is hardly a stranger to the concept. “This trial has verified that our technology works when connected to PacketLight's equipment, making it accessible to a broader customer base,” said Shinya Murai, Senior Fellow, QKD Business Development Office, Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation. “We will continue working with our partners to provide solutions for quantum-safe communications."
Koby Reshef, CEO of PacketLight, agreed that the trial shows the potential of quantum technology.
"The integration of Toshiba's QKD technology with PacketLight's DWDM/OTN devices paves the way for enhanced secure data transmission," he said. "We take pride in our involvement in this cooperation and eagerly anticipate the market’s response to the new opportunities it presents."
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