Challenges in Seamless QKD Integration within Classical Communication Infrastructures
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: While Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers a solution to the threat posed by quantum computing, the transition from laboratory point-to-point links to scalable QKD Networks (QKDN) within existing communication infrastructures entails technical and architectural challenges. This paper reviews QKD integration, addressing the physical and architectural constraints inherent in the evolution from idealized models to real-world infrastructures. By synthesizing architectural paradigms, this study establishes a roadmap for QKD integration within communication networks evaluated against hardware standards and economic viability. The analysis delineates how channel impairments and hardware non-idealities dictate design requirements. Trade-offs between co-propagation and dedicated fiber, the impact of detector technologies on network asymmetry, and the shift toward Measurement-Device-Independent (MDI) architectures are examined. Bridging the gap between quantum physics and communication engineering, this work provides a technical roadmap for integrating QKD into mission-critical environments, assessing the current state of the art to facilitate cost-effective and scalable deployments.
Institution: University of Naples Federico II
Language: English
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7211992866