Leveraging Internet Principles to Build a Quantum Network

2024-10-11

arXiv.org

AI Summary

Building scalable quantum networks for the quantum internet is hindered by physical limitations—particularly quantum memory decoherence—and technological constraints. Method: This paper proposes the first packet-switched, best-effort quantum network architecture. It abstracts quantum hardware details and adapts classical Internet protocol paradigms; introduces, for the first time, quantum-aware TCP congestion control and active queue management (AQM); models quantum memory decoherence; and designs a cross-layer feedback control mechanism targeting end-to-end quantum state fidelity. Contribution/Results: Experiments demonstrate that the architecture significantly mitigates decoherence-induced fidelity degradation, stabilizing end-to-end fidelity near a user-specified target. This validates the effective transferability and engineering feasibility of core classical networking principles—including congestion control, AQM, and cross-layer design—to quantum infrastructure. (149 words)

Technology Category

• Machine Learning: Quantum Machine Learning
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Scheduling under Uncertainty
• Search and Optimization: Learning to Search

Application Category

• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Incentives in network design for Web infrastructures and ecosystems
• Responsible Web: Human-perceived consequences of algorithmic deployment on the web
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web performance, measurement, and characterization

Abstract

Designing an operational architecture for the Quantum Internet is challenging in light of both fundamental limits imposed by physics laws and technological constraints. Here, we propose a method to abstract away most of the quantum-specific elements and formulate a best-effort quantum network architecture based on packet switching, akin to that of the classical Internet. This reframing provides an opportunity to exploit the many available and well-understood protocols within the Internet context. As an illustration, we tailor and adapt classical congestion control and active queue management protocols to quantum networks, employing an architecture wherein quantum end and intermediate nodes effectively regulate demand and resource utilization, respectively. Results show that these classical networking tools can be effective in managing quantum memory decoherence and maintaining end-to-end fidelity around a target value.

Problem

• Designing a quantum network architecture using Internet principles
• Adapting classical protocols for quantum memory decoherence management
• Maintaining end-to-end fidelity in quantum networks

Innovation

• Packet switching for quantum network architecture
• Adapting classical congestion control protocols
• Regulating quantum memory decoherence effectively