A perspective on industrial quantum networks

The vision is a software-defined quantum network that enables a flexible experimental platform for developing quantum applications for industry. While components of the quantum Internet are under development, the control plane remains undefined. The quantum Internet, like the classical Internet, will be a network of networks. Operation of an industrial quantum network is viewed as a networked control problem, and a time-sensitive network control plane is proposed to enable a quantum software-defined network. Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution is used as an example implementation since it provides a foundation for a quantum repeater and, by extension, the quantum Internet. Results indicate that a time-sensitive network control plane design is feasible, and its pros and cons are discussed.