Patent ID: 11956351

Abstract:
A first node of a network includes a quantum receiver, a classical transceiver, and an initial-key generator that cooperate with a second node of the network to receive an initial key via the quantum receiver. The first node includes a key-series generator that (i) decrypts, with the initial key, a first encrypted key of a series of encrypted keys to generate a first unencrypted key of a respective series of unencrypted keys and (ii) decrypts each subsequent encrypted key of the series of encrypted keys with a preceding unencrypted key of the series of unencrypted keys to generate a subsequent unencrypted key of the series of unencrypted keys. The first node includes one or both of a decryptor and an encryptor. The decryptor decrypts encrypted data using a last unencrypted key of the series of unencrypted keys. The encryptor encrypts unencrypted data using the last unencrypted key.