Long-term performance of the SwissQuantum quantum key distribution network in a field environment

TLDR

The study reports on the SwissQuantum QKD network’s performance, aiming to test the long‑term reliability of its quantum layer in a production environment. The network was deployed in Geneva for 18 months, featuring a key‑management layer that coordinated keys among three nodes and enabled end‑user access via an application layer.

Abstract

In this paper, we report on the performance of the SwissQuantum quantum key distribution (QKD) network. The network was installed in the Geneva metropolitan area and run for more than one and a half years, from the end of March 2009 to the beginning of January 2011. The main goal of this experiment was to test the reliability of the quantum layer over a long period of time in a production environment. A key management layer has been developed to manage the key between the three nodes of the network. This QKD-secure network was used by end-users through an application layer.