CN116266787A - Transmitting terminal equipment for quantum key distribution with simplified structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a sending end device for quantum key distribution, in which, only one general interface and one optical The interface can realize the data channel required by the sending end device, which greatly simplifies the peripheral interface configuration of the device and further reduces the size of the sending end device. At the same time, it can also provide high data communication rate and strong scalability to the outside world, allowing the sending end device to be easily integrated with other classic devices, and enhancing the applicability of the sending end device.

Description

A sender device with simplified structure for quantum key distribution

technical field

The invention relates to the field of quantum secret communication, in particular to a transmitter device for quantum key distribution with simplified structure.

Background technique

In order to realize the quantum key distribution process, the sending device needs to communicate with various signals such as quantum optical signal, synchronous optical signal, negotiation signal, quantum key, key management information and device status information. For this reason, various hardware interfaces are usually provided in the existing sending end equipment to be used as corresponding data interfaces. As shown in Figure 1, there are five hardware interfaces in a typical sending device, namely, the key output interface for outputting the quantum key, the key management interface for sending and receiving key management data, and the A key agreement interface for sending and receiving key agreement data, a network management interface for sending and receiving network management data, and an optical interface for quantum optical signals/synchronous optical signals. This complex hardware interface structure not only requires a larger device size, but also is difficult to meet the adaptation requirements of different types of classic devices for hardware interfaces, which makes the current sending end devices insufficient in portability and adaptability.

Contents of the invention

Aiming at the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art, the present invention discloses a sending end device for quantum key distribution, wherein, by setting a classical negotiation unit, a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and an optimized design of the control unit, Only one general interface and one optical interface are required to realize the data channel required by the sending end device, which greatly simplifies the peripheral interface configuration of the device and further reduces the size of the sending end device. At the same time, it can also provide high data communication rate and strong scalability to the outside world, allowing the sending end device to be easily integrated with other classic devices, and enhancing the applicability of the sending end device.

Specifically, the sending end device for quantum key distribution includes a sending end module, a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module and a signal interface;

The signal interface only includes a general interface for digital signal communication with the outside, and an optical interface for optical signal communication with the outside;

The sending end module is configured to generate and output quantum optical signals, synchronization optical signals and negotiation optical signals, and negotiate to generate and output quantum keys;

The classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module is arranged between the sending end module and the optical interface, and is used for performing wavelength division multiplexing on the quantum optical signal, synchronous optical signal and negotiation optical signal.

Further, the sending end module is configured to allow different types of data to be formed in the same digital signal, and the different types of data have different protocol frame formats.

Wherein, the type of data may include quantum key, key management data, network management data and/or device state information data.

Further, the sending end module includes a random number generating unit, a quantum optical signal generating unit, a synchronous optical signal generating unit, a classical negotiation unit and a control unit;

The random number generating unit is used to generate random numbers;

The quantum optical signal generating unit is configured to generate the quantum optical signal;

The synchronous optical signal generating unit is used to generate the synchronous optical signal;

The control unit is used to drive and control the quantum optical signal generating unit and the synchronous optical signal generating unit, and negotiate to generate and manage the quantum key;

The classical negotiating unit is arranged between the control unit and the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and is used to generate the negotiating optical signal through a photoelectric conversion process under the direct drive of the control unit.

Furthermore, the random number generation unit includes a random number chip; and/or, the classical negotiation unit includes a photoelectric converter.

Furthermore, the control unit includes a processor and a memory. Wherein, the processor can be realized by means of separate CPU and FPGA, or by means of a processor with an integrated driving function.

Furthermore, the quantum optical signal generation unit includes a signal optical driver, a signal light source and an optical chip;

The signal light driver is configured to output a signal light drive signal to the signal light source based on the control of the control unit;

The signal light source is used to generate signal light according to the signal light driving signal;

The optical chip is used to encode the signal light to generate the quantum optical signal.

Further, the synchronous optical signal generating unit includes a synchronous optical driver and a synchronous light source;

The synchronous optical driver is configured to output a synchronous optical drive signal to the synchronous light source based on the control of the control unit;

The synchronous light source is used to generate the synchronous optical signal according to the synchronous optical driving signal.

Preferably, the sending end device may have a two-dimensional plane size not greater than 120mm*220mm.

Preferably, the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module includes a wavelength division multiplexer.

Preferably, the universal interface is a PCIE interface.

Preferably, the optical interface is an LC/UPC interface.

Description of drawings

The specific implementation manners of the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the accompanying drawings required in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are only For some embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort.

Fig. 1 shows a typical structure of a sending end device in the prior art;

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary implementation of a sending end device for quantum key distribution according to the present invention.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are provided by way of illustration in order to fully convey the spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary implementation of a sending end device for quantum key distribution according to the present invention.

The sending end device of the present invention may include a sending end module and a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module.

The sending end module is used for generating and outputting quantum optical signals, synchronous optical signals and negotiating optical signals, and generating and outputting quantum keys through negotiation.

The classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module forms an optical connection with the transmitting end module, which is used to perform wavelength division multiplexing on the quantum optical signal, synchronous optical signal and negotiation optical signal output by the transmitting end module, so as to allow the quantum optical signal, synchronous optical signal and The negotiated optical signals share an optical transmission channel (for example, a single optical fiber channel).

As a preferred example, the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module may include a wavelength division multiplexer.

As shown in Figure 2, the sending end module includes a random number generating unit, a quantum optical signal generating unit, a synchronous optical signal generating unit, a classical negotiation unit and a control unit.

The random number generating unit is used to generate random numbers, such as quantum random numbers.

As an example, the random number generating unit may include a random number chip.

The control unit generates a control signal for controlling the quantum optical signal generating unit and the synchronous optical signal generating unit to generate quantum optical signals and synchronous optical signals, directly drives the classical negotiating unit to generate the negotiating optical signal, and negotiates (carrying out base vector comparison, correction errors, privacy amplification, etc.) to generate quantum keys and manage the quantum keys.

As an example, the control unit may generate a control signal based on a random number, for controlling the quantum optical signal generating unit to generate a quantum optical signal.

As an example, the control unit may include a processor and a memory, as shown in FIG. 2 .

In the present invention, the processor can be implemented by a separate CPU and FPGA, or by a processor with an integrated driver function (such as ZYNQ).

Memory can be used for caching of data.

The quantum optical signal generation unit is used to generate quantum optical signals, and may include a signal optical driver, a signal light source, and an optical chip.

The signal light driver is used for sending a signal light driving signal to the signal light source according to the control signal of the control unit.

The signal light source is used to drive the signal according to the signal light to generate the signal light. As an example, the signal light source may be a laser, such as a signal light laser.

The optical chip is used to encode the signal light to generate a quantum optical signal, which will be sent to the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module.

The synchronous optical signal generating unit is used for generating synchronous optical signals, and may include a synchronous optical driver and a synchronous light source.

The synchronous light driver is used for sending a synchronous light driving signal to the synchronous light source according to the control signal of the control unit.

The synchronous light source is used to generate a synchronous optical signal according to the synchronous optical driving signal, which will be sent to the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module. As an example, the synchronous light source may be a laser, such as a synchronous optical laser.

The classical negotiating unit is arranged between the control unit and the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and is used, for example, to be directly driven by the CPU in the control unit to generate a negotiating optical signal by means of a photoelectric conversion process.

As an example, the classic negotiation unit may include an optical-to-optical converter to generate a negotiation optical signal based on direct drive of the CPU.

Therefore, in the sending end device of the present invention, by setting the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, multiple different optical signals in the sending end device are allowed to multiplex the same optical path to realize signal transmission, and at the same time through the classical negotiation unit , with the help of simple photoelectric conversion, the control unit is directly driven to generate a negotiation optical signal to carry the negotiation data for the quantum key distribution process. Therefore, an optical interface can be set on the sending end device to connect to the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module , which can meet the communication requirements of optical signals such as quantum optical signals, synchronous optical signals, and negotiation signals, thereby allowing the external communication interface of the device to be reduced and avoiding the equipment space required for setting the interface. At the same time, it can also effectively reduce such as quantum optical signals, The internal space of the device occupied by the optical paths required to connect various optical signals such as synchronous optical signals to their optical interfaces, finally allows the transmitter device to be realized in a reduced size, enabling it to achieve miniaturization and high integration. In addition, since the sending end device only needs a single fiber channel, it can also greatly save fiber resources and is more convenient to use.

In addition, the control unit can also form various types of data generated during the operation of the equipment on the same digital signal, so as to allow a general interface to be set on the sending end equipment to meet the communication requirements of various types of digital data. Therefore, the external communication interfaces of the device (such as the key output interface, the key management interface, the network management interface, etc.) are allowed to be reduced, and the equipment space required for setting the interfaces is avoided. At the same time, by setting a single universal interface as a unified interface for the digital data of the device, it also allows the miniaturized sending end device to be easily connected with the classic device to form an all-in-one device with both quantum key distribution and encryption and decryption functions.

Specifically, in the present invention, the control unit can define corresponding protocol frame formats for different types of data, so that different types of data can be sent to the host device through the same common interface with the same digital signal. After receiving the digital signal, the host device can deframe it through different protocol frame formats, separate different types of data from the same digital signal, and carry out corresponding responses.

As a preferred example, the universal interface may be a PCIE interface, thereby allowing the sending end device to quickly perform interface adaptation with various classic devices in a flexible manner. Among them, the general interface can be used, but not limited to, to realize the communication of digital signals related to quantum keys, key management data, network management data, and various device status data (such as temperature, abnormal information, etc.).

As a preferred example, the optical interface may be an LC/UPC interface, thereby allowing the sending end device to quickly connect to an external optical fiber channel, so that quantum optical signals, synchronous optical signals and negotiation optical signals can multiplex the optical fiber channel.

It can be seen that compared with the prior art, multiple optical and data interfaces (such as key agreement interface, quantum optical signal/synchronous optical interface, key output interface, key management interface, network Management interface, etc.), the sending end device proposed by the present invention sets the classic negotiation unit, the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and the optimized design of the control unit, so that only one general interface and one optical interface can realize the sending end The data channel required by the device greatly simplifies the peripheral interface configuration of the device and further reduces the size of the sending device. For example, the two-dimensional plane size (length/width) of the sending device can be further reduced to 120mm*220mm . At the same time, it can also provide high data communication rate and strong scalability to the outside world, allowing the sending end device to be easily integrated with other classic devices, and enhancing the applicability of the sending end device.

Although the present invention has been described above through specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can easily recognize that the above-mentioned embodiments are only exemplary and are used to illustrate the principles of the present invention, and they do not limit the scope of the present invention. As a limitation, those skilled in the art can make various combinations, modifications and equivalent substitutions to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A sender device for quantum key distribution, comprising a sender module, a classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module and a signal interface; The signal interface only includes a general interface for digital signal communication with the outside, and an optical interface for optical signal communication with the outside; The sending end module is configured to generate and output quantum optical signals, synchronization optical signals and negotiation optical signals, and negotiate to generate and output quantum keys; The classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module is arranged between the sending end module and the optical interface, and is used for performing wavelength division multiplexing on the quantum optical signal, synchronous optical signal and negotiation optical signal. 2. The sender device according to claim 1, wherein the sender module is configured to allow different types of data to be formed in the same digital signal, and the different types of data have different protocol frame formats. 3. The sender device according to claim 2, wherein the data comprises quantum keys, key management data, network management data and/or device state information data. 4. The sending end device according to claim 1, wherein the sending end module includes a random number generating unit, a quantum optical signal generating unit, a synchronous optical signal generating unit, a classical negotiation unit, and a control unit; The random number generating unit is used to generate random numbers; The quantum optical signal generating unit is configured to generate the quantum optical signal; The synchronous optical signal generating unit is used to generate the synchronous optical signal; The control unit is used to drive and control the quantum optical signal generating unit and the synchronous optical signal generating unit, and negotiate to generate and manage the quantum key; The classical negotiating unit is arranged between the control unit and the classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module, and is used to generate the negotiating optical signal through a photoelectric conversion process under the direct drive of the control unit. 5. The sending end device according to claim 4, wherein, the random number generating unit comprises a random number chip; and/or, the classical negotiating unit comprises a photoelectric converter. 6. The sender device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit comprises a processor and a memory. 7. The sending end device according to claim 6, wherein the processor is realized by a separate CPU and FPGA, or by a processor with an integrated driver function. 8. The sending end device according to claim 4, wherein the quantum optical signal generating unit comprises a signal light driver, a signal light source and an optical chip; The signal light driver is configured to output a signal light drive signal to the signal light source based on the control of the control unit; The signal light source is used to generate signal light according to the signal light driving signal; The optical chip is used to encode the signal light to generate the quantum optical signal. 9. The transmitting end device according to claim 4, wherein the synchronous optical signal generating unit comprises a synchronous optical driver and a synchronous light source; The synchronous optical driver is configured to output a synchronous optical drive signal to the synchronous light source based on the control of the control unit; The synchronous light source is used to generate the synchronous optical signal according to the synchronous optical driving signal. 10. The sending end device according to any one of claims 1-9, which has a two-dimensional plane size not greater than 120mm*220mm; and/or, The classical quantum wavelength division multiplexing module includes a wavelength division multiplexer; and/or, The general interface is a PCIE interface; and/or, The optical interface is an LC/UPC interface.

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