Overview of Routing Approaches in Quantum Key Distribution Networks

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2511.15465v1
• Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:24:15 GMT
• Title: Overview of Routing Approaches in Quantum Key Distribution Networks
• Authors: Ivan Cvitic, Dragan Perakovic, Armando Nolasco Pinto,
• Abstract summary: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks enable unconditionally secure key exchange using quantum mechanical principles.<n> routing cryptographic keys across multi-hop quantum networks introduces challenges unique to quantum communication.<n>This survey analyzes and classifies 26 routing strategies proposed between 2013 and 2024 for terrestrial, satellite, and hybrid QKD infrastructures.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
• Abstract: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks enable unconditionally secure key exchange using quantum mechanical principles. However, routing cryptographic keys across multi-hop quantum networks introduces challenges unique to quantum communication. This survey analyzes and classifies 26 routing strategies proposed between 2013 and 2024 for terrestrial, satellite, and hybrid QKD infrastructures. Dynamic, key-aware routing algorithms have been shown to reduce service rejection rates by 25-40% compared to static shortest-path methods by incorporating real-time key pool availability and link error rates. Multi-path strategies improve resilience against trusted-node compromise by distributing keys across disjoint routes, albeit with an increase in key consumption of 30-60%. SDN-based orchestration frameworks emerge as essential enablers of flexible, QoS-aware routing for hybrid networks integrating terrestrial fibers and intermittent satellite links. Critical research directions include reducing dependence on trusted nodes through quantum repeaters or post-quantum cryptography, developing standardized key management interfaces for interoperability, and adopting AI-driven predictive routing for adapting to fluctuating network states. This comprehensive synthesis of routing algorithms, performance trade-offs, and unresolved issues offers practical guidance for engineering secure, adaptable, and large-scale QKD networks capable of meeting real-world deployment demands.

Related papers

• Multi-node quantum key distribution network using existing underground optical fibre infrastructure [0.0]
  This work demonstrates the first quantum communication network in Cyprus via the deployment of a multi-node quantum network.<n>Results obtained reveal consistent key generation rates across all nodes, confirming reliable operation in a real-world environment.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-12-02T12:30:12Z)
• Reinforcement Learning for Quantum Network Control with Application-Driven Objectives [53.03367590211247]
  Dynamic programming and reinforcement learning offer promising tools for optimizing control strategies.<n>We propose a novel RL framework that directly optimize non-linear, differentiable objective functions.<n>Our work comprises the first step towards non-linear objective function optimization in quantum networks with RL, opening a path towards more advanced use cases.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-09-12T18:41:10Z)
• The Proportional Fair Scheduler in Wavelength-Multiplexed Quantum Networks [1.649938899766112]
  Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocols generate secret keys from entangled photons.<n>We propose simple distributed algorithms for QKD networks generating secret keys.<n>We find that a proportional fairness pumping strategy (PF-PS) stands out by dynamically prioritizing users with lower average secret key rates.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-07-18T15:10:43Z)
• Routing algorithm within the multiple non-overlapping paths approach for quantum key distribution networks [0.70224924046445]
  We develop a novel key routing algorithm for quantum key distribution (QKD) networks.<n>We present the results of testing the algorithm on two QKD network models consisting of 6 and 10 nodes.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-11-12T14:04:31Z)
• Practical hybrid PQC-QKD protocols with enhanced security and performance [44.8840598334124]
  We develop hybrid protocols by which QKD and PQC inter-operate within a joint quantum-classical network. In particular, we consider different hybrid designs that may offer enhanced speed and/or security over the individual performance of either approach.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-11-02T00:02:01Z)
• Dynamic Routing for Quantum Key Distribution Networks [2.913123182364138]
  In this paper, we consider quantum key distribution (QKD) in a quantum network with both quantum repeaters and a small number of trusted nodes. We develop a new dynamic routing strategy that makes routing decisions based on the current network state, as well as evaluate various classical/quantum post-processing techniques.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-12-06T17:17:12Z)
• Fidelity-Guarantee Entanglement Routing in Quantum Networks [64.49733801962198]
  Entanglement routing establishes remote entanglement connection between two arbitrary nodes. We propose purification-enabled entanglement routing designs to provide fidelity guarantee for multiple Source-Destination (SD) pairs in quantum networks.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-11-15T14:07:22Z)
• Fast and Secure Routing Algorithms for Quantum Key Distribution Networks [5.659290426197763]
  We consider the problem of secure packet routing at the maximum achievable rate in Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks. We propose a new secure throughput-optimal policy called Tandem Queue Decomposition (TQD) We show that the TQD policy solves the problem of secure and efficient packet routing for a broad class of traffic, including unicast, broadcast, multicast, and anycast.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-09-16T12:29:41Z)
• Entanglement Rate Optimization in Heterogeneous Quantum Communication Networks [79.8886946157912]
  Quantum communication networks are emerging as a promising technology that could constitute a key building block in future communication networks in the 6G era and beyond. Recent advances led to the deployment of small- and large-scale quantum communication networks with real quantum hardware. In quantum networks, entanglement is a key resource that allows for data transmission between different nodes.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-05-30T11:34:23Z)
• On Topology Optimization and Routing in Integrated Access and Backhaul Networks: A Genetic Algorithm-based Approach [70.85399600288737]
  We study the problem of topology optimization and routing in IAB networks. We develop efficient genetic algorithm-based schemes for both IAB node placement and non-IAB backhaul link distribution. We discuss the main challenges for enabling mesh-based IAB networks.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-02-14T21:52:05Z)
• Purification and Entanglement Routing on Quantum Networks [55.41644538483948]
  A quantum network equipped with imperfect channel fidelities and limited memory storage time can distribute entanglement between users. We introduce effectives enabling fast path-finding algorithms for maximizing entanglement shared between two nodes on a quantum network.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-11-23T19:00:01Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.