QNu Labs, a global provider of quantum cybersecurity solutions, has announced the results of an independent research study conducted in collaboration with VIAVI Solutions. The study evaluates the real-world performance and deployment readiness of QNu Labs’ Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) platform, ARMOS, using advanced testing infrastructure.
The assessment, carried out on VIAVI’s MAP-300 platform, establishes ARMOS as a reliable and field-ready solution for enabling quantum-secure communication across enterprise and critical infrastructure networks. Under controlled testing conditions, the platform successfully demonstrated secure key generation over distances of up to 200 kilometers of standard telecom fibre, corresponding to a loss of 40 dB, without requiring signal amplification. Throughout testing, the system maintained quantum bit error rates below 4 percent, well within acceptable operational limits.
At typical metropolitan distances of around 50 kilometers, ARMOS achieved secure key generation rates of up to 8,000 bits per second, supporting real-time encryption requirements for sensitive data transmission. Even at extended distances, the system sustained stable performance, delivering approximately 200 secure bits per second, highlighting its ability to operate under varying network conditions.
A key outcome of the study is the platform’s ability to coexist with high-speed classical data traffic. ARMOS was shown to function seamlessly alongside 10 Gbps communication channels on the same fibre infrastructure, without degradation to quantum performance. This capability addresses a critical challenge in QKD adoption by enabling integration into existing networks without requiring major redesign.
The platform also demonstrated strong resilience in simulated real-world conditions. It successfully detected and recovered from fibre disruptions within minutes, automatically restoring secure key generation without manual intervention. Its performance remained stable under varying conditions such as attenuation and polarization changes. This level of performance is enabled by QNu Labs’ proprietary decoy-state Differential Phase Shift protocol, which enhances tolerance to higher channel losses and extends operational range compared to conventional QKD systems.
Leadership from both organizations emphasized that the study represents a significant step toward practical deployment of quantum-safe communication technologies. The findings provide tangible evidence of scalability, reliability, and compatibility with current infrastructure. The report also outlines future research directions, including testing under higher data loads and extended network configurations, aimed at advancing hybrid quantum-classical communication frameworks.
Founded in 2016 and incubated at IIT Madras, QNu Labs focuses on building quantum-secure infrastructure. With a multidisciplinary team of engineers, physicists, and mathematicians, the company continues to advance innovations in quantum cryptography and secure communications on a global scale.
