Quantum-aware routing and wavelength assignment for classical traffic in hybrid quantum-classical optical networks

Area of Science:

• Quantum Communications
• Optical Networking
• Network Resource Allocation

Background:

• Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is crucial for secure quantum networking.
• Integrating QKD into existing optical infrastructures requires advanced resource management.
• Hybrid networks face challenges from quantum-classical interference.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a quantum-aware resource allocation framework with dual-granularity power control (QRA-PC).
• To mitigate quantum-classical interference in hybrid optical networks.
• To enhance the performance of discrete-variable QKD systems.

Main Methods:

• Developed a quantum-aware Resource Waveform Allocation (RWA) framework with power control (QRA-PC).
• Simulated performance in a 9-node mesh network with C-band QKD systems.
• Evaluated QRA-PC against a first-fit baseline under varying traffic loads.

Main Results:

• QRA-PC achieved an average Secure Key Rate (SKR) of 891.9 kb/s at 50 erlangs, a significant improvement over the baseline (50.4 kb/s).
• The framework effectively mitigated quantum-classical interference.
• No classical traffic blocking was observed during QKD operations.

Conclusions:

• QRA-PC is an effective strategy for integrating QKD into existing optical infrastructures.
• The proposed framework enables scalable quantum networking with carrier-grade performance.
• Dual-granularity power control is key to managing interference in hybrid quantum-classical networks.