Towards the Modeling and Simulation of Quantum Key Distribution Systems

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a nextgeneration security technology that exploits the properties of quantum mechanics to enable two parties to generate an unconditionally secure shared secret key. QKD is novel because its security is based upon the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics and not on computational complexity. QKD systems are composed of multiple interconnected electrical, optical, and electro-optical subsystems and computer-based controllers and can be viewed as a complex system (or system of systems). Currently, there is no single simulation framework that supports a high level systems engineering analysis of QKD system architectures. In this paper, we present an evaluation process that considers end user and software developer requirements for the identification and selection of a software framework suitable for modeling, simulation, and analysis of QKD systems. Keywords—Requirements analysis, simulation environment, discrete-event simulation, quantum key distribution, systems engineering.