In a joint project that will aim to take
The research is commissioned and supported by
The twelve participating organizations are
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a cryptography communications technology that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to deliver absolutely secure communications that cannot be eavesdropped. The company has some 30 years' of experience in researching quantum technology, dating back to the 1991 establishment of a research laboratory at
In the new project, MIC will provide support for the development of technologies needed to advance the deployment of quantum cryptographic communications on the nation-wide global scale. Over five years, to the end of fiscal year 2024, the collaborators will develop and verify essential technologies for practical use over a wide area with a large-scale network. Toward this, the 12 organizations will develop a network that can accommodate over 100 quantum cryptographic devices and 10,000 users, and explore four central technological targets:
Quantum Communications Link Technology that realizes high-speed, long-distance, and high-availability(Note 4) links in quantum cryptographic communication networks
Trusted Node Technology that ensures the robustness and tamper resistance(Note 5) of cryptographic key management systems, and improves the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of quantum cryptographic communications
Quantum Relay Technology that extends distances and secure cryptographic key relays on the ground
Wide-area network construction and operation technology, which manages and controls wide-area and large-scale quantum cryptographic communication networks
In its first year, the project will have a planned budget of
Toshiba is the representative research organization that will compile the overall outcome achieved by all 12 organizations as well as participate in all four technologial targets. In taking on this role, the company will build on its recent work to develop technologies that will increase quantum key distribution rates by about three times; to extend the distance of key distribution with all-optical quantum relay technology and to realize storage system security technologies that ensure the secure maintenance and management of distributed cryptographic key data. Toshiba is also working to verify the integration of 5G and other wide-area networking equipment with quantum cryptography.
The envisaged research and development project is expected to further strengthen the competitiveness of
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