Ririka Takahashi

We considered research and development aimed at improving the operability and scalability of large-scale QKD net-works (QKDNs) by introducing hierarchical control architecture. This paper focus on a distributed-control QKDN within such a hierarchical large scale QKDN and presents the design and implementation of a QKDN controller (QKDN-C) that selects appropriate key relay routes in response to control instructions from an orchestrator (QKDN-O). In particular, it describes a method for distributed key relay and routing table management, in which the routing tables of individual key managers (KMs) are dynamically updated on instructions from the QKDN-O. It also shows that, in a hierarchically structured QKDN, coordinated operation between the QKDN-O and distributed QKDNs enable key re-laying to be realized over optimal routes.

In quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, key resources are limited, and efficient key relay is essential for stable multi-site operation. However, evaluating how effective the key relay paths are requires large-scale and iterative verification using real networks, which entails substantial costs and practical constraints. This paper reports on a simulator that was developed to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of key relay path computation models in large-scale QKD networks. The simulator takes as input the results of key relay path selection obtained from various routing models and simulates fluctuations in the amount of key across the entire QKD network. Using this simulator, we confirmed that it is possible to systematically verify whether the key relay paths are suitable for efficient and stable operation of QKD networks under various network scales and operational conditions. The results provide a useful foundation for the design and evaluation of future QKD networks.

In this paper, we describe a key routing method for large-scale quantum key distribution (QKD) networks. The proactive and dynamic key routing method decides the amount of key for distribution which is based on the key usage history of each application and stored key status of each link. Furthermore, we also propose a key routing method which applies multiple routing protocols according to the network domain of destination. The method provides key usage efficiently and promotes scalability for large-scale QKD networks.

To construct a large-scale quantum key distribution network (QKDN) as future secure infrastructure, it is necessary interwork many QKDNs. Here, we demonstrate an interoperable key relay between two different types of QKDNs: a centralized QKDN and a distributed QKDN. In the demonstration, we build an experimental environment for interworking by using physical QKDNs and implement three fundamental functions (key relay, delivery confirmation, and status information collection) for performing key relay between heterogeneous QKDNs.

We developed a genome sequence data storage system using a distributed storage system on a quantum key distribution (QKD) network and have successfully demonstrated secure storage and data reconstruction for genome sequence data. The proposed system thus has potential for use as a distributed storage system in genome analysis.

In this paper, an experimental scenario of remote control with equipment operating at the manufacturing site over private 5G network has been demonstrated. To further enhance the security level, quantum key distribution (QKD) has been applied to this private 5G network system. The results reveal that QKD could be applicable to provide secure communications in private 5G network system for practical use.

To realize highly secure communication required for sensitive personal information, quantum key distribution (QKD) was applied to a video conference system for clinical use in a field trial. We demonstrated that the system provides a QKD secured environment for discussion and for sharing screens of patient cases among medical experts. The results indicated that our QKD system’s secure key rate is sufficient for a video conference in real time. This demonstrated that QKD is applicable to video conference systems for practical use.

We developed a system for real-time transmission of genome sequence data using quantum cryptography and have succeeded in the quantum cryptography transmission of genome sequence data with data volumes exceeding several hundred gigabytes. This demonstrated that quantum cryptography can transmit large amounts of data and has practical applications in the fields of genomic research and genomic medicine.