US 12,355,870 B2
Network apparatus for quantum key distribution, and operation method for quantum key distribution network
Chan Kyun Lee, Daejeon (KR); Yong Hwan Kim, Daejeon (KR); Kyu Seok Shim, Daejeon (KR); and Won Hyuk Lee, Sejong-si (KR)
Assigned to KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION, Daejeon (KR)
Filed by KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION, Daejeon (KR)
Filed on Sep. 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/952,457.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2022-0066032 (KR), filed on May 30, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0007277 A1, Jan. 4, 2024
Int. Cl. H04L 9/08 (2006.01); H04L 9/14 (2006.01)
CPC H04L 9/0855 (2013.01) [H04L 9/0894 (2013.01); H04L 9/14 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A quantum key distribution network apparatus comprising:
a non-transitory computer readable medium to store instructions; and
a processor that executes one or more of the instructions to:
receive a quantum key distributed between a pair of adjacent nodes in a quantum key distribution network;
combine quantum keys in a path connecting a pair of random nodes among quantum keys distributed between pairs of adjacent nodes, to regenerate a quantum key between the pair of random nodes; and
transmit encrypted data through a data transmission path of link paths connecting the pair of random nodes,
wherein the processor is configured to calculate, as the data transmission path, one of:
a link path of link paths connecting the pair of random nodes and which is a disjoint set for a quantum key consumption path, or
a node path of node paths connecting the pair of random nodes and which is a disjoint set for the quantum key consumption path,
wherein the processor is configured to, when the data transmission path is calculated as the link path of link paths connecting the pair of random nodes, exceptionally allow overlapping of links in the quantum key consumption path, a number of which is equal to or smaller than a pre-configured threshold number of links, and
wherein the processor is configured to, when the data transmission path is calculated as the node path of node paths connecting the pair of random nodes, exceptionally allow overlapping of nodes in the quantum key consumption path, a number of which is equal to or less than a less than a pre-configured threshold number of nodes.