Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein provide an inter-node interface for communication between client nodes, such as modems, in a local communication network (LCN), where local data does not pass through a network hub or mobile core. To improve signal strength, SINR and handoff speeds in the LCN, the disclosed systems and methods also enable a client node within the LCN to self-direct simultaneous transmission of a common data packet by a plurality of client nodes, without employing components of the Xhaul transport system for coordination.

Abstract: A method performed by a node of a quantum key distribution (QKD) network includes receiving, from a hub of the QKD network, a user-node pulse train of optical-pulse pairs, each of the optical-pulse pairs comprising a first pulse and a second pulse having an optical phase shift relative to the first pulse. The method further includes splitting the user-node pulse train into first and second pulse trains, calibrating an asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer with the first pulse train, blocking the second pulse of each of the optical-pulse pairs of the second pulse train to generate a filtered pulse train, splitting the filtered pulse train into a timing pulse train and a pre-qubit pulse train, delaying the pre-qubit pulse train into a delayed pulse train, and encoding the delayed pulse train into a photonic-qubit pulse train and transmitting the photonic-qubit pulse train to the hub.

Abstract: A method for market-based allocation of communication network resources includes (1) receiving, at an allocation controller, respective bids for communication network resources from a plurality of clusters of network serving devices, and (2) allocating respective communication network resources among the plurality of clusters of network serving devices at least partially based on an amount of the respective bid from each cluster. A method for market-based mitigation of communication link deterioration includes (1) receiving, at a first client device, a communication network resource budget, (2) determining that deterioration of a first communication link between the first client device and a first network serving device has reached a threshold value, and (3) in response to determining that deterioration of the first communication link has reached the threshold value, generating a bid for additional communication network resources.

Abstract: A server device is provided for authenticating client devices on a communication network. The server device includes a transceiver configured for operable communication with at least one client of the communication network, and a processor including a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the server device to receive an authentication request from a client device, generate a seed for a first key for the client device if the client device authenticates, transmit the seed for the first key to the client device, receive a hash of the first key from the client device, and validate the first key based on the hash of the first key.

Abstract: An ad-hoc wireless network is implemented by a plurality of wireless access points to detect and report failure of a concurrently implemented conventional network. The wireless access points collect and store network status information of the conventional network and send the network status information to a centralized emergency manager when failure of the conventional network is detected. The ad-hoc wireless network may also provide backhaul connectivity to a wireless access point of the failed conventional network for emergency communication.

Abstract: A wireless communication network includes a plurality of first electronic devices configured for wireless communication, at least one second electronic device configured for wireless communication, and at least one access point configured to wirelessly receive client data from, and transmit network data to, the plurality of first electronic devices and the at least one second electronic device. The wireless communication network further includes a virtual private wireless communication sub-network that includes the plurality of first electronic devices and excludes the at least one second electronic device. The virtual private wireless communication sub-network is configured to enable each of the plurality of first electronic devices to automatically connect with the wireless communication network.

Abstract: A node for a quantum key distribution (QKD) network includes an optical input that receives an optical pulse from a hub of the QKD network and an optical splitter that splits the optical pulse into an optical timing pulse and a pre-qubit pulse. The node also includes a qubit encoder controllable to encode the pre-qubit pulse into a photonic qubit; a qubit trigger circuit that controls, based on the optical timing pulse, the qubit encoder while the pre-qubit pulse propagates through the qubit encoder; and an optical output that transmits the photonic qubit to the hub.

Abstract: A server device is provided for analyzing communication interfaces. The server device includes a processor including a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the server device to store a plurality of test scenarios from a plurality of sources; receive a plurality of proposed interfaces from the plurality of sources; for each of the plurality of proposed interfaces, execute the plurality of test scenarios using the corresponding proposed interface of the plurality of proposed interfaces; score the plurality of proposed interfaces based on the execution of the plurality of test scenarios for the corresponding interface; and provide the plurality of scores for the plurality of proposed interfaces to the plurality of sources.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide quantum secured internet transport. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is made universally available to existing Transport Layer Security (TLS) Internet services without requiring modification of existing applications. QKD keys may be prefetched and transferred to user devices at secure sites using QKD over an optical link (e.g., a continuous wave fiber or free-space optical link). A proxy QKD TLS tunnel client and a QKD TLS tunnel server are transparent to the user devices and select QKD keys for use with existing TLS client and TLS server services to form a QKD TLS tunnel between the user devices for secure communication. One-time-pad (OTP) encryption uses pre-shared QKD keys to provide secure OTP based encryption.

Abstract: An ad-hoc wireless network is implemented by a plurality of wireless access points to detect and report failure of a concurrently implemented conventional network. The wireless access points collect and store network status information of the conventional network and send the network status information to a centralized emergency manager when failure of the conventional network is detected. The ad-hoc wireless network may also provide backhaul connectivity to a wireless access point of the failed conventional network for emergency communication.

Abstract: Preference-based downlink resource allocation mechanisms for communication systems, such as low earth orbit satellite communication systems, may be implemented as auctions. Unlike allocation methods that do not take channel diversity into consideration, the disclosed methods improve communication efficiency while reducing uplink overhead compared with methods that feedback complete channel state information (CSI). Moreover, the disclosed methods simplify computational complexity and improve scalability compared with optimal allocation, and enable the derivation of implicit CSI from the submitted requests or bids.

Abstract: A method for traffic flow classification in a communication network includes (1) identifying a traffic flow in communication network traffic, (2) extracting features of the traffic flow, and (3) using a machine learning model, classifying the traffic flow at least partially based on the features of the traffic flow. The features of the traffic flow include, for example, a distribution of packet size values of a sliding window sample of the traffic flow, a distribution of inter-arrival time values of a sliding window sample of the traffic flow, standard deviation of data packet size, average of data packet size, standard deviation of data packet inter-arrival time, and average of data packet inter-arrival time.

Abstract: A first node of a network includes a quantum receiver, a classical transceiver, and an initial-key generator that cooperate with a second node of the network to receive an initial key via the quantum receiver. The first node includes a key-series generator that (i) decrypts, with the initial key, a first encrypted key of a series of encrypted keys to generate a first unencrypted key of a respective series of unencrypted keys and (ii) decrypts each subsequent encrypted key of the series of encrypted keys with a preceding unencrypted key of the series of unencrypted keys to generate a subsequent unencrypted key of the series of unencrypted keys. The first node includes one or both of a decryptor and an encryptor. The decryptor decrypts encrypted data using a last unencrypted key of the series of unencrypted keys. The encryptor encrypts unencrypted data using the last unencrypted key.

Abstract: An ad-hoc wireless network is implemented by a plurality of wireless access points to detect and report failure of a concurrently implemented conventional network. The wireless access points collect and store network status information of the conventional network and send the network status information to a centralized emergency manager when failure of the conventional network is detected. The ad-hoc wireless network may also provide backhaul connectivity to a wireless access point of the failed conventional network for emergency communication.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for quantum key distribution (QKD) in passive optical networks (PONs) are described. A PON may be a point-to-multipoint system and may include a central node in communication with multiple remote nodes. In some cases, each remote node may include a QKD transmitter configured to generate a quantum pulse indicating a quantum key, a synchronization pulse generator configured to generate a timing indication of the quantum pulse, and filter configured to output the quantum pulse and the timing indication to the central node via an optical component (e.g., an optical splitter, a cyclic arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) router). The central node may receive the timing indications and quantum pulses from multiple remote nodes. Thus, the central node and remote nodes may be configured to communicate data encrypted using quantum keys.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems, methods and software for determining an optimal burst transmission time through a modem, such as a cable modem, a wireless access point, a node in a cable network, or a satellite communication link. Particularly, the present disclosure makes it possible for a burst of queued data, defined as data above a certain percentile of a monitored traffic rate, to be transmitted by the modem at a time that provides the best chance of avoiding a collision with a co-occurring burst of data from another user connected to the same modem. In an embodiment, the systems, methods and software disclosed herein use the optimal transmission time to replace a contention window transmission time, at least for bursty data, or they completely eliminate the need for contention windows, at least for bursty data.

Abstract: A transaction discovery protocol determines when a value r is less than a value a without learning the value of r or a. The protocol (1) receives, at a first computer via a secure communication channel, value ax, where x is a secret key unknown to the first computer; (2) generates vector B where a first entry is the value r, and subsequent entries are equal to the previous entry plus a predefined resolution; (3) generates vector By from the vector B using secret key y, unknown to a second computer, and sends vector By to the second computer; (4) receives vector Byx from the second computer and generates value axy; and (5) completes an agreement between the first computer and the second computer when the value axy is equal to one of the entries in the vector Byx, indicating that the value r is less than the value a.

Abstract: A method for quantum routing is performed by a relay network node that is connected to a plurality of nearest-neighbor network nodes. The method includes receiving, from a source network node of the plurality of nearest-neighbor network nodes, a first command indicating a destination network node. The method includes selecting, based on the destination network node, a next-hop network node from the nearest-neighbor network nodes. The method includes determining a number of current quantum-entangled channels between the relay network node and the next-hop network node. The method includes establishing a new quantum-entangled channel between the relay network node and the next-hop network node in response to the number of current quantum-entangled channels being less than a threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for data collection and aggregation using a distributed network of communications enabled sensors connected to another primary network to achieve a secondary out-of-band monitoring perspective, for example, in power grids. The data collection system includes an aggregation and processing server configured to collect data from a variety of sensors adjacent to the monitored network each sensor includes secondary power such that it can continue data transmission even during power grid outages. The data collection system includes a method for secure real-time data ingest, machine learning enabled analysis, risk assessment, and anomaly detection on a broad geographic scale irrespective of isolated network boundaries.

Abstract: A measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) network includes a plurality of user nodes connected to untrusted relay node that performs Bell-state measurements on qubits transmitted by the user nodes. The relay node contains a calibration laser that serves as a wavelength reference for the user nodes. The output of the calibration laser is split into two wavelength-calibration signals, which are transmitted to a pair of user nodes via optical fiber. At each user node, a laser diode used to generate weak coherent pulses is injection-locked with the wavelength calibration-signal, thereby ensuring that the user nodes generate photonic qubits with the same wavelength. The embodiments may be implemented with any encoding scheme compatible with MDI-QKD, such as polarization encoding and time-bin phase-encoding. No auxiliary connections between the user nodes are needed, allowing the MDI-QKD network to be scaled up to many users.