IIT Madras-incubated deeptech startup QNu Labs has published findings from a landmark joint study with VIAVI Solutions validating the real-world performance of its ARMOS Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) platform, proving its readiness for enterprise-scale deployment over standard telecom networks. The research, conducted using VIAVI’s MAP-300 test suite, demonstrates secure key generation up to 200 km on unamplified fibre while coexisting with 10 Gbps classical traffic.
Sunil Gupta, co-founder and CEO of QNu Labs, described the results as shifting quantum security from “abstract promise to demonstrable capability.” At metro distances of 50 km, ARMOS delivered up to 8,000 secure bits per second; at 200 km, it sustained 200 bits per second with quantum bit error rates (QBER) below 4%.
ARMOS Achieves Industry-Leading Range and Stability
QKD exchanges encryption keys via quantum states—typically photons—ensuring eavesdropping detection through quantum no-cloning theorem. ARMOS employs decoy-state Differential Phase Shift (DPS) protocol, tolerating 40 dB channel loss for extended reach versus conventional systems limited to 80-100 km.
The study confirmed seamless integration: ARMOS operated alongside high-speed classical data without interference, critical for brownfield telecom upgrades. During simulated disruptions—fibre cuts, attenuation, polarisation shifts—ARMOS auto-detected issues and restored keys within minutes sans manual intervention.
VIAVI’s controlled environment mirrored production networks, establishing deployment benchmarks under National Quantum Mission (NQM) support. QNu’s platform exceeds global standards, enabling 60% fewer nodes for 500 km networks (4 vs 10).
Quantum-Safe Networks for Critical Sectors
India’s NQM—₹6,000 crore initiative—prioritises quantum communication; QNu’s 500 km+ deployments and 1,000 km milestone underscore progress. ARMOS targets telecom, finance, defence and government, generating AES-compatible keys via KMIP/PKCS#11 for existing AES encryption.
Sudiptaa Paul Choudhury, QNu CMO, highlighted enterprise applicability: real-time intrusion alerts integrate with SOC/SIEM, discarding compromised keys instantly. Future research explores higher loads and hybrid quantum-classical architectures.
VIAVI Partnership Accelerates Standards
The collaboration defines test cases for QKD, QRNG and post-quantum cryptography (PQC), fostering global consortiums aligned with NIST/ETSI. QNu, backed by NQM since 2016, delivers hybrid solutions via QShield SaaS across India, US, Middle East and Australia.
Gupta emphasised: “Quantum-safe communication implements at scale without network disruption.” VIAVI complements optics expertise, enabling verifiable quantum-resilient infrastructures.
