In-Field Quantum-Protected Control-Based Key Distribution with a Lossy Urban Fiber Link

Quantum cryptography protocols offering unconditional protection open great rout to full information security in quantum era. Yet, implementing these protocols using the existing fiber networks remains challenging due to high signal losses reducing the efficiency of these protocols to zero. The recently proposed quantum-protected control-based key distribution (QCKD) addresses this issue by physically controlling interceptable losses and ensuring that leaked quantum states remain non-orthogonal. Here, we present the first in-field development and demonstration of the QCKD over an urban fiber link characterized by substantial losses. Using information-theoretic considerations, we configure the system ensuring security and investigate the interplay between line losses and secret key rates. As an example, we present calculation for the communication distance 4 km, QCKD rate 490 bits per second, and find that the corresponding system’s total loss is about 1.628 decibels. Our results, backed by the statistical analysis of the secret key, confirm QCKD’s robustness under real-world conditions, and establish it as a practical solution for quantum-safe communications over existing fiber infrastructures.