Power Consumption Analysis of QKD Networks under Different Protocols and Detector Configurations

2025-07-13

AI Summary

Quantum key distribution (QKD) networks suffer from low energy efficiency and lack systematic power consumption assessment. Method: This work proposes a network-level power modeling and optimization framework grounded in real-world topologies, comparatively analyzing the energy efficiency of discrete-variable (DV) and continuous-variable (CV) QKD protocols; quantifying power trade-offs between superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) and avalanche photodiodes (APDs) under constraints including deployment density and link distance; and integrating and validating optical bypass to reduce node power. Contribution/Results: It establishes the first fine-grained, component-level power model—covering sources, modulators, detectors, and relay nodes—with joint optimization. Results show SNSPDs outperform APDs in long-haul backbone networks, whereas APDs are more efficient for short-reach access layers; optical bypass reduces node power consumption by up to 37%. The study provides theoretical foundations and engineering guidelines for green, scalable QKD network design.

Technology Category

• Search and Optimization: Distributed Search
• Constraint Satisfaction and Optimization: Distributed CSP/Optimization
• Machine Learning: Quantum Machine Learning

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Energy management for devices in mobile Web and WoT environments
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Efficient manipulation of static and dynamic Web-related graphs

Abstract

We analyze the power consumption of quantum key distribution (QKD) networks under various protocol and detector configurations. Using realistic network topologies, we evaluate discrete-variable vs continuous-variable QKD and optimize device placement, quantifying power trade-offs of SNSPD vs APD detectors and the benefits of optical bypass.

Problem

• Analyze power consumption in QKD networks under different protocols
• Compare discrete-variable and continuous-variable QKD performance
• Optimize detector configurations and evaluate power trade-offs

Innovation

• Evaluates discrete-variable vs continuous-variable QKD
• Optimizes device placement in network topologies
• Quantifies power trade-offs of SNSPD vs APD detectors