Authors

• Miralem Mehic
  • Department of Telecommunications, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
• Marcin Niemiec
  • VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic
  • AGH University ofScience and Technology, Poland
• Stefan Rass
  • Universitaet Klagenfurt, Austria
• Jiajun Ma
  • QuantumCTek Co., Ltd., China
• Momtchil Peev
  • Huawei Technologies Duesseldorf GmbH, Germany
• Alejandro Aguado
  • Center for Computational Simulation, Universidad Politécnicade Madrid, Spain
• Vicente Martin
  • Center for Computational Simulation and Dept. LSIIS, ETSIinf, UniversidadPolitécnica de Madrid, Spain
• Stefan Schauer
  • AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Security & Communication Technologies, Center for Digital Safety & Security, Austria
• Andreas Poppe
  • AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Security & Communication Technologies, Center for Digital Safety & Security, Austria
• Christoph Pacher
  • AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Security & Communication Technologies, Center for Digital Safety & Security, Austria
• Miroslav Voznak
  • VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, Ostrava-Poruba, Czech Republic

Abstract

The convergence of quantum cryptography with applications used in everyday life is a topic drawing attention from the industrial and academic worlds. The development of quantum electronics has led to the practical achievement of quantum devices that are already available on the market and waiting for their first application on a broader scale. A major aspect of quantum cryptography is the methodology of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which is used to generate and distribute symmetric cryptographic keys between two geographically separate users using the principles of quantum physics. In previous years, several successful QKD networks have been created to test the implementation and interoperability of different practical solutions. This article surveys previously applied methods, showing techniques for deploying QKD networks and current challenges of QKD networking. Unlike studies focusing on optical channels and optical equipment, this survey focuses on the network aspect by considering network organization, routing and signaling protocols, simulation techniques, and a software-defined QKD networking approach.