An on-demand resource allocation algorithm for a quantum network hub and its performance analysis

Gauthier, Scarlett; Vasantam, Thirupathaiah; Vardoyan, Gayane

Abstract

To support the execution of multiple simultaneously-running quantum network applications, a quantum network must efficiently allocate shared resources. We study traffic models for a type of quantum network hub called an Entanglement Generation Switch (EGS), a device that allocates resources to enable entanglement generation between nodes in response to user-generated demand. We propose an on-demand resource allocation algorithm, where a demand is either blocked if no resources are available or else results in immediate resource allocation. We model the EGS as an Erlang loss system, with demands corresponding to sessions whose arrival is modelled as a Poisson process. To reflect the operation of a practical quantum switch, our model captures scenarios where a resource is allocated for batches of entanglement generation attempts, possibly interleaved with calibration periods for the quantum network nodes. Calibration periods are necessary to correct against drifts or jumps in the physical parameters of a quantum node. We then derive a formula for the demand blocking probability under three different traffic scenarios using analytical methods from applied probability and queueing theory. We prove an insensitivity theorem which guarantees that the probability a demand is blocked only depends upon the mean duration of each entanglement generation attempt and calibration period, and is not sensitive to their underlying distributions. Our numerical results support our analysis. Our work is the first analysis of traffic characteristics at an EGS system and provides a valuable analytic tool for devising performance driven resource allocation algorithms.

Citation

Gauthier, S., Vasantam, T., & Vardoyan, G. (2024, September). An on-demand resource allocation algorithm for a quantum network hub and its performance analysis. Presented at QCE24: IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering, Montréal, Québec, Canada

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: QCE24: IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering
• Start Date: Sep 15, 2024
• End Date: Sep 20, 2024
• Acceptance Date: Jul 16, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jan 10, 2025
• Publication Date: Jan 10, 2025
• Deposit Date: Sep 26, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 16, 2025
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 1748-1759
• Book Title: 2024 IEEE International Conference on Quantum Computing and Engineering (QCE)
• ISBN: 9798331541385
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/QCE60285.2024.00204
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2878747