During the project, existing fibre and wireless communication infrastructures, will be integrated and equipped with quantum cryptographic key distribution (QKD) systems, which will cover a large part of the national territory. QUID will also promote the development of Italian companies that manufacture systems and services for quantum communications for different user categories.
The main purpose of QUID will be the development of nodes in metropolitan quantum communication networks (QMANs), interconnected by means of the Italian Quantum Backbone, an infrastructure that covers the Italian territory and distributes time and frequency signals using commercial optical fibres. Quantum key exchanges between nodes will use discrete variable QKD systems. QUID will also link the quantum fibre-optic infrastructure and the important sites of the European QCI space segment.
QUID will also promote the development of methods for the optimal distribution of quantum communication services. Finally, QUID will pursue the development of innovative techniques for QKD, to increase the transmission rate, both using advanced optical fibres and wireless transmission.
The QUID consortium brings together leading Italian companies in the sector, the main research institutes involved in quantum communications, for both the terrestrial and space segments, and universities involved in innovation and training. The consortium is led by the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM) and includes, in addition to the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering of the Politecnico di Milano, the National Research Council, the Italian Space Agency, Cohaerentia, Thales Alenia Space - Italy, QTI, Leonardo, ThinkQuantum, TIM, Telsi, Telespazio, the TOP-IX Consortium, the University of L'Aquila, La Sapienza University, the University of Naples Federico II, the University of Padua and the University of Trieste.
