Towards Quantum Network Performance Metrics: Challenges and Demonstration

2026-07-06

AI Summary

This work addresses the lack of a standardized observability framework in quantum networks, which hinders effective fault diagnosis and adaptive control. It proposes the first multidimensional performance metric system tailored for quantum networks, encompassing key parameters such as entanglement fidelity, quantum bit error rate, dark count rate, and timing jitter, while integrating environmental sensor data. Building on this foundation, the authors design and implement a non-intrusive, integrable real-time monitoring prototype, which has been deployed and validated at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The system enables real-time data acquisition, performance alerting, and dynamic feedback, thereby establishing a critical observability infrastructure for quantum software-defined networking and autonomous control.

Abstract

As quantum networks move toward practical deployment, standardized performance monitoring becomes essential. This article proposes a structured monitoring framework for quantum networks with performance metrics, including quality (e.g., entanglement fidelity, QBER, loss, dark count rate), throughput and latency (e.g., entanglement rate, waiting time), timing (e.g., coincidence window, production and coincidence jitter), and exogenous factors (e.g., temperature, humidity, vibrations). These measurements enable real-time observability, benchmarking, and control, supporting use cases such as fault diagnosis, adaptive timing, and entanglement routing. Additionally, we implement a non-invasive prototype environmental monitoring system integrated with the quantum network infrastructure at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, demonstrating practical feasibility of live data collection and alert generation. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges of real-time monitoring and the trade-offs between observability and system performance. This work establishes a foundation for developing advanced quantum network monitoring systems and lays the groundwork for future autonomous control and quantum software-defined networking.

Problem

• quantum network
• performance metrics
• monitoring
• observability
• standardization

Innovation

• quantum network monitoring
• performance metrics
• entanglement fidelity
• non-invasive sensing
• quantum software-defined networking