LuxQuanta is a European quantum key distribution (QKD) manufacturer. The company focuses on smooth telecom integration and deployment of QKD technology based on Continuous Variable (CV-QKD). LuxQuanta is also the coordinator of the QUARTER project, one of the new ambitious initiatives of the EU Commission for the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) program. A 10.8M € project that will lead to a stronger EU-based supply chain for CV-QKD technologies and secure communications between all EU members.

“LuxQuanta is determined to provide unique easy to deploy, cost-effective, and high-performance Quantum Cryptography solutions. We have entered the market with our first CV-QKD system, NOVA LQ™, and are committed to continuing our work in developing cost-effective solutions for widespread market adoption”. Vanesa Díaz, CEO at LuxQuanta.

Delivering high-quality randomness meeting the protocol execution requirements

LuxQuanta’s system is designed to deliver value into the demanding telco and data center market (ICT). For that reason, the speed of the system has a direct impact on the number of keys that customers can obtain. Current LuxQuanta’s hardware generates quantum signals at a speed of 15 MHz and each signal is modulated using two 10-bits Gaussian random distribution, therefore the systems requires more than 300 Mb/s of high-quality random numbers. Additionally, it is highly desirable that the high-performance random number generation technology sits inside the QKD systems that LuxQuanta builds, taking minimal space without sacrificing performance.

“The Quside QRNG delivers a high bitrate that facilitates our QKD technology to utilize random numbers that originate from quantum physics, without any classical expansion algorithm that could potentially compromise the security standards of QKD. As we strive to increase the key generation rate of QKD, we anticipate a growing demand for higher-bitrate QRNGs. Fortunately, Quside products currently provide us with the necessary performance, and we expect this trend to persist in the future.” – Sebastian Etcheverry, LuxQuanta’s CTO

Embedded quantum entropy source with optimal size and performance

The Quside™ FMC 400 product is designed to be seamlessly embedded with FPGA-based systems, such as designed by LuxQuanta. With 400 Mb/s rates available with above 90% min-entropy bounds, Quside can meet the requirements of the Nova LQ™ first generation system. Additionally, the FMC was optimally designed to take minimal space in the customer system. LuxQuanta can embed a plug & play FMC-based quantum entropy source and embed all the logic in their FPGA. Thereby, the overall system becomes simplified and therefore more cost effective.

“We are very happy with the progress the LuxQuanta team has made in a very short timeframe. They have been relying on the FMC 400 since the beginning, obtaining the random numbers they need directly at the FPGA board and processing on-the-spot, without requiring complex integrations and external buses. We are thrilled to contribute with this critical component to LuxQuanta QKD products” Carlos Abellan, CEO at Quside.

The FMC 400 was integrated in less than 4 hours and no further support has been required in over 1+ years.

Generating high-quality randomness is essential in many devices, with QKD having some of the most challenging requirements in terms of quality and performance. By relying on the FMC product line from Quside, QKD vendors can:

• Obtain high-quality quantum randomness, not limiting the performance of their system due to randomness generation.
• Achieve an optimal form factor that minimizes space and guarantees quality.
• Reliably offer the strongest QKD security performance with unpredictable state preparation.

Challenge: Generate high-quality randomness that guarantees the security and performance requirements of LuxQuanta’s CV-QKD system.

Solution: A 400 Mb/s FMC-based quantum entropy source with efficient IP cores to be embedded at LuxQuanta’s FPGA.

Benefits: A fully functional and performant solution that is easily embedded with minimal support.