QPIC-AI develops self-calibrating PIC/FPGA-based Quantum Key Distribution systems with embedded AI control, validated across EU–Korea testbeds.
System architecture
The challenge
Current QKD systems face critical operational challenges that prevent large-scale deployment. QPIC-AI addresses these directly.
Current QKD systems suffer from temperature, phase, and polarisation drift that degrades key rate and increases QBER.
Operational QKD links often require expert intervention and planned downtime for recalibration, limiting deployment at scale.
QPIC-AI uses embedded AI to predict drift, correct instability in real time, and support auto-relock — without operator intervention.
Core technology
Four integrated technology layers work together to enable autonomous, high-performance quantum key distribution.
Thin-film LiNbO₂ photonic integrated circuits with phase modulation, polarisation control, and thermal stabilisation.
Phase-encoded BB84 QKD implementation integrated with the photonic front end for high-rate, low-latency key generation.
Lightweight AI models deployed on FPGA for real-time drift prediction, QBER stabilisation, and closed-loop actuator control.
ETSI-aligned key management and SDN orchestration for seamless integration with telecom and critical infrastructure networks.
Expected results
QPIC-AI is designed around measurable, validated performance targets.
>30%
Downtime reduction
<3%
QBER variance
TRL 4–5
Validation level
EU–KR
Certification roadmap
Open
Datasets & reference designs
ETSI+
Standards contributions
Validation
Three geographically distributed pilots validate QPIC-AI under diverse real-world conditions.
Partners
NCSR Demokritos
🇬🇷 Greece
Coordinator
ETRI
🇰🇷 Republic of Korea
PIC hardware and photonic integration
SK Telecom
🇰🇷 Republic of Korea
Telecom QKD validation and field trial
AIT
🇦🇹 Austria
KMS/SDN, validation and interoperability
Synogate
🇩🇪 Germany
FPGA/AI hardware acceleration
Standardisation
QPIC-AI contributes to leading international quantum communications standards bodies.
ETSI ISG-QKD
ITU-T
CEN-CENELEC JTC 22
ISO/IEC
EU–KR Certification Gap Report
Interoperability Roadmap
Updates
The QPIC-AI consortium presented its first system architecture results and pilot planning at the EuroQCI industry summit in Brussels, gathering significant interest from telecom operators and standardisation bodies.
Read moreNCSR Demokritos and ETRI have co-authored the first technical deliverable describing the photonic integrated circuit design approach for the QPIC-AI QKD module, now available as an open access preprint.
Read moreAll five consortium partners gathered in Seoul for a two-day technical workshop, aligning on AI model architecture and FPGA integration roadmap with SK Telecom engineers.
Read moreReceive updates on pilots, publications, datasets, standards contributions, and events.