PacketLight Announces Successful Demonstration of QKD over DWDM Links with Toshiba

Insider’s memory

• PacketLight Networks successfully demonstrated Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over DWDM links with Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation.
• The demonstration showcases the integration of solutions to create efficient, secure and scalable quantum-safe communications networks.
• The validation was carried out on two types of QKD networks in Japan.

PRESS RELEASE — PacketLight Networks, a leading provider of DWDM and OTN equipment, has successfully demonstrated quantum key distribution (QKD) over DWDM links with Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation (Toshiba), a leading QKD technology and system suppliers.

The demonstration showcases the integration of Toshiba’s QKD solution with PacketLight’s OTN encrypted transport solutions, with the goal of creating efficient, secure and scalable quantum-safe communications networks. The demonstration was conducted by Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) during the Sapporo Snow Festival and Okinawa Test Beds, respectively held in February.

The PacketLight and Toshiba teams validated the compatibility of quantum communications systems with optical networking infrastructure through a detailed series of successful evaluations that delivered QKD alongside a large number of conventional DWDM data signals and demonstrated quantum secure data transmission with QKD encryption.

The validation was carried out on two types of QKD networks in Japan: a long-distance link in Okinawa and a multiplexed QKD link in Sapporo.

Toshiba’s long-haul QKD system in Okinawa used PacketLight’s PL-4000M multiplexer to transmit two 200G wavelengths over a 74 km link with the Quantum Channel operating on 1,550 nm. Link performance was measured using a 100G tester, showing 100% throughput and low latency, in accordance with RFC2544.

Toshiba’s multiplexed QKD system in Sapporo used PacketLight’s PL-4000M multiplexer to transmit a 400G wavelength, with the Quantum channel operating at 1,310 nm.

PacketLight and Toshiba demonstrate that QKD-secured signals can share the same space as traditional data transmissions over the same fiber optic network, and show how QKD technology can be easily deployed on today’s existing networks without the need for of a separate fiber. Using QKD over existing fiber optic networks provides significant cost savings and increased deployment speed because it removes the need to use dedicated fiber for QKD transmission.

“We are delighted that the trial with PacketLight was successful,” said Shinya Murai, principal researcher at the QKD business development office at Toshiba Digital Solutions Corporation. “Toshiba has been at the forefront of quantum computing technology since 1999. We have achieved a series of world firsts in quantum technology deployment, developing quantum-secure and scalable network communications infrastructures that can protect data from any threat , even those asked. by quantum computers. This trial verified that our technology works when connected to PacketLight equipment, making it accessible to a wider customer base. We will continue to work with our partners to provide solutions for quantum-secure communications.

“The integration of Toshiba’s QKD technology with PacketLight’s DWDM/OTN devices paves the way for secure and enhanced data transmission,” said Koby Reshef, CEO of PacketLight. “We are proud of our involvement in this cooperation and look forward to the market response to the new opportunities it presents. »

The annual snow festival is an opportunity for companies, universities and research organizations to participate in experiments aimed at testing the latest technical advances, under the sponsorship of NICT. It is a valuable space to share technical knowledge between researchers, engineers and students through practical implementation and operation.