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arxiv: 2409.01069 · v3 · submitted 2024-09-02 · 🪐 quant-ph · cs.SY· eess.SY

The optical architecture of a heterogenous quantum network deployed in production facilities

Alberto Sebasti\'an-Lombra\~na , Hans H. Brunner , David Rinc\'on , Juan P. Brito , Rub\'en B. M\'endez , Rafael J. Vicente , Jaime S. Buruaga , Laura Ortiz
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Jos\'e L. Rosales Chi-Hang Fred Fung Momtchil Peev Jos\'e M. Rivas-Moscoso Felipe Jim\'enez Antonio Pastor Diego R. L\'opez Jes\'us Folgueira C\'esar S\'anchez Vicente Mart\'in
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Pith reviewed 2026-05-23 21:23 UTC · model grok-4.3

classification 🪐 quant-ph cs.SYeess.SY
keywords quantum key distributionheterogeneous networksoptical switchingproduction facilitiesquantum-classical coexistencetelecommunications infrastructurefiber deploymentservice level agreements
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The pith

An optically switched architecture integrates multiple vendors' quantum key distribution systems into live production telecom facilities over 130 km of fiber.

A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.

The paper establishes that quantum communications can be added to existing telecommunications networks that already carry classical traffic. It solves the isolation and management problems that arise when quantum signals must share fiber with legacy services under strict performance guarantees. The solutions are shown through a real heterogeneous deployment in Madrid that connects modules from several providers while meeting operator standards and service agreements. A reader would care because this moves quantum networks from controlled labs into operational environments where broad acceptance depends on minimal disruption and compliance. The work focuses on joint operation of quantum and classical resources without major changes to existing transport or encryption layers.

Core claim

The central claim is that an optically-switched network with more than 130 km of deployed optical fibre enables the installation of quantum-key-distribution modules from multiple providers in production nodes of two different operators. This setup achieves full quantum-classical interoperability at all levels while limiting modifications to optical transport and encryption and complying with relevant standards and strict service level agreements that protect pre-existing classical traffic.

What carries the argument

The optically-switched network architecture that routes and isolates quantum signals from classical traffic across heterogeneous vendor modules.

If this is right

  • Quantum communications can be integrated into the telecommunications ecosystem using production nodes from multiple operators.
  • Joint management and operation of quantum and classical resources becomes feasible under existing standards.
  • Large-scale quantum network deployments can proceed with limited changes to optical transport and encryption layers.
  • Compliance with legal, quality assurance, and service level requirements is achievable in heterogeneous setups.

Where Pith is reading between the lines

These are editorial extensions of the paper, not claims the author makes directly.

  • The same switching and isolation methods might support additional quantum applications such as clock synchronisation on the same infrastructure.
  • Network operators could standardise on this architecture to reduce vendor lock-in when adding quantum capabilities.
  • Scaling tests beyond 130 km or with denser quantum channel packing would be a direct next measurement to check capacity limits.

Load-bearing premise

The optical isolation, switching, and co-propagation techniques maintain quantum signal integrity in a live production environment containing pre-existing classical traffic without violating the strict service level agreements protecting legacy services.

What would settle it

A deployment test in which quantum key exchange rates drop to zero or classical traffic experiences errors or downtime exceeding the agreed service level limits would falsify the claim.

Figures

Figures reproduced from arXiv: 2409.01069 by Alberto Sebasti\'an-Lombra\~na, Antonio Pastor, C\'esar S\'anchez, Chi-Hang Fred Fung, David Rinc\'on, Diego R. L\'opez, Felipe Jim\'enez, Hans H. Brunner, Jaime S. Buruaga, Jes\'us Folgueira, Jos\'e L. Rosales, Jos\'e M. Rivas-Moscoso, Juan P. Brito, Laura Ortiz, Momtchil Peev, Rafael J. Vicente, Rub\'en B. M\'endez, Vicente Mart\'in.

Figure 1
Figure 1. Figure 1: This figure illustrates the complexity and diversity of optical communications. On the left, two access networks are [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p003_1.png] view at source ↗
Figure 2
Figure 2. Figure 2: Main scheme to deliver end-to-end quantum-secured [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p004_2.png] view at source ↗
Figure 3
Figure 3. Figure 3: The architecture of a node in a software-defined QKD [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p005_3.png] view at source ↗
Figure 4
Figure 4. Figure 4: The image shows the set of components that would [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p006_4.png] view at source ↗
Figure 5
Figure 5. Figure 5: MadQCI overview. 26 QKD modules from different [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p007_5.png] view at source ↗
Figure 6
Figure 6. Figure 6: Different examples of the equipment deployed in MadQCI, in the Quijote node in this case. All devices displayed here [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p008_6.png] view at source ↗
Figure 7
Figure 7. Figure 7: Main coexistence schemes used in MadQCI. a) Duplex usage of a fibre pair with QKD and classical signals multiplexed [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p009_7.png] view at source ↗
Figure 8
Figure 8. Figure 8: Circuit diagram with the possible connectivity between the QKD modules in the network. Between each pair of nodes, [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p010_8.png] view at source ↗
Figure 9
Figure 9. Figure 9: Coexistence in the Quijote-Quevedo link, outfitted with a Huawei CV-QKD link and a ID Quantique DV-QKD link. [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p012_9.png] view at source ↗
Figure 10
Figure 10. Figure 10: Coexistence in the Quijote-Quint´ın link, outfitted with Huawei CV-QKD and a ID Quantique DV-QKD links, both at C band. The spectrum shows the fibre dedicated to the classical data channels, both encrypted (L1 by ADVA and L2 by R&S) and in the clear. Some of the latest are RM third-party channels. In this way, it has been possible to present the results as a blueprint for large-scale quantum network deplo… view at source ↗
Figure 11
Figure 11. Figure 11: Layout in Norte node [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p014_11.png] view at source ↗
Figure 14
Figure 14. Figure 14: Layout in Quijote node [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p015_14.png] view at source ↗
Figure 15
Figure 15. Figure 15: Layout in Quevedo node [PITH_FULL_IMAGE:figures/full_fig_p015_15.png] view at source ↗
read the original abstract

Quantum Communications promise advances in cryptography, quantum computing and clock synchronisation, among other emerging applications. However, communication based on quantum phenomena requires an extreme level of isolation from external disturbances, complicating the co-propagation of quantum and classical signals. The challenge is greater when deploying networks that are both heterogeneous (e.g., multiple vendors) and installed in production facilities, given that this type of infrastructure already supports networks loaded with their own requirements. Moreover, to achieve a broad acceptance among network operators, the joint management and operation of quantum and classical resources, compliance with standards, and legal and quality assurance need to be addressed. This article presents solutions to the aforementioned challenges validated in the Madrid quantum network during the implementation of the projects CiViC and OpenQKD. This network was designed to integrate quantum communications in the telecommunications ecosystem by installing quantum-key-distribution modules from multiple providers in production nodes of two different operators. The modules were connected through an optically-switched network with more than 130~km of deployed optical fibre. The tests were done in compliance with strict service level agreements that protected the legacy traffic of the pre-existing classical network. The goal was to ensure full quantum-classical interoperability at all levels, while limiting the modifications to optical transport and encryption and complying with relevant standards. This effort is intended to lay the foundation for large-scale quantum network deployments.

Editorial analysis

A structured set of objections, weighed in public.

Desk editor's note, referee report, simulated authors' rebuttal, and a circularity audit. Tearing a paper down is the easy half of reading it; the pith above is the substance, this is the friction.

Referee Report

1 major / 1 minor

Summary. The manuscript describes the deployment of a heterogeneous quantum network in Madrid, integrating QKD modules from multiple vendors into production nodes of two operators. It details an optically-switched architecture spanning over 130 km of deployed fiber, implemented and tested under the CiViC and OpenQKD projects while maintaining compliance with strict SLAs protecting legacy classical traffic, with the goal of achieving full quantum-classical interoperability at all levels and limiting modifications to optical transport and encryption.

Significance. If the reported validations hold, the work demonstrates practical integration of quantum communications into live telecommunications infrastructure under real production constraints and multi-operator heterogeneity. This provides concrete engineering experience on co-propagation, optical switching, and standards compliance that could inform larger-scale deployments; the real-world setting with pre-existing classical traffic and SLA adherence is a notable strength.

major comments (1)
  1. [Abstract] Abstract and validation sections: the central claim of successful validation, full interoperability, and SLA compliance is asserted without any quantitative performance metrics, error rates, bit-error-rate measurements, or specific test results from the Madrid network trials. This absence prevents independent assessment of whether the optical isolation, switching, and co-propagation techniques preserved quantum signal integrity under live classical traffic.
minor comments (1)
  1. The description of the network topology and switching fabric would benefit from a schematic diagram or table listing the specific fiber spans, switch types, and wavelength assignments to clarify how heterogeneity was managed.

Simulated Author's Rebuttal

1 responses · 0 unresolved

We thank the referee for the detailed review and constructive feedback. We address the single major comment below and will revise the manuscript to strengthen the presentation of quantitative results.

read point-by-point responses

  1. Referee: [Abstract] Abstract and validation sections: the central claim of successful validation, full interoperability, and SLA compliance is asserted without any quantitative performance metrics, error rates, bit-error-rate measurements, or specific test results from the Madrid network trials. This absence prevents independent assessment of whether the optical isolation, switching, and co-propagation techniques preserved quantum signal integrity under live classical traffic.

    Authors: We agree that the abstract is high-level and that the validation sections would benefit from more explicit quantitative data to support the claims of interoperability and SLA compliance. The manuscript reports the overall architecture, deployment, and successful operation under production constraints, but does not tabulate specific trial results such as QBER values, secret-key rates, or measured classical-channel impact. In the revised version we will expand the validation section with the available performance metrics from the Madrid trials (including QBER, key rates, and SLA monitoring data) and add a short quantitative summary to the abstract. This will enable independent assessment of signal integrity under co-propagation. revision: yes

Circularity Check

0 steps flagged

No significant circularity: descriptive engineering deployment report

full rationale

The paper is a descriptive report on the optical architecture, integration, and validation of a heterogeneous QKD network deployed in the Madrid production facilities under CiViC and OpenQKD. It details hardware choices, switching, co-propagation techniques, interoperability, and compliance with SLAs and standards, but contains no derivations, equations, predictions, fitted parameters, or theoretical claims that could reduce to inputs by construction. No self-citation chains or ansatzes are invoked as load-bearing steps. The validation rests on reported test outcomes in a live environment rather than any internally circular reasoning.

Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger

0 free parameters · 0 axioms · 0 invented entities

No free parameters, axioms, or invented entities are present because the paper is an applied engineering deployment report rather than a theoretical or modeling contribution.

pith-pipeline@v0.9.0 · 5881 in / 1116 out tokens · 25916 ms · 2026-05-23T21:23:43.047292+00:00 · methodology

discussion (0)

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