Network having quantum key distribution
US8650401B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/0855
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of performing quantum key distribution across a network. The method involves a first node first agreeing a quantum key with a first intermediate node in the path. Next the intermediate node exchanges a quantum signal with the next node in the path—which is a targeted node. The intermediate node communicates with the first node using the previous established quantum key details of the quantum signal sent or received by the intermediate node. The first node then performs a key agreement step to agree a quantum key directly with the targeted node. Having established a quantum key with the current targeted node the method can be repeated but with the next node in the network path as the targeted node until a destination node is reached. The final quantum key agreed with the destination node can then be used for encrypting communication between those nodes across the network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.