Aliro Quantum, which claims to be the first pure-play quantum networking company, is kickedoff IQT Fall in New York City last week with the announcement that AliroNet, the company’s end-to-end entanglement-based quantum network solution, is now available.
The solution supports multiple modes to directly support whatever phase users are at with quantum networking. An Emulate mode allows the emulation of entanglement-based quantum networks, while Pilot mode supports the implementation of small-scale pilots, and Deployment mode enables full-scale universal entanglement-based quantum networks.
AliroNet is hardware-agnostic and is delivered as a service, though the company can help with the analysis, selection, and acquisition of third party quantum networking hardware components used to build quantum repeaters, memories, routers, photon sources, photon detectors, and other optical components. The solution includes Aliro Simulator, Aliro Orchestrator, Aliro Controller, and AlirOS.
The company said AliroNet users include utility companies, telecommunications providers, public sector organizations, enterprises, and researchers who are using for implementations in a variety of phases and co-existing with classical classical networks.
“Aliro continues to experience increased traction with a range of organizations,” said Dr. Prineha Narang, founder and Chief Technology Officer with Aliro. “AliroNet will simplify the ability to simulate, design, pilot, and deploy quantum networks for use in secure communications implementations, quantum computing connectivity, and distributed quantum sensor networks.”
Aliro CEO Jim Ricotta, commenting via email to IQT News, added that regarding AliroNet customers, “Most organizations are in Emulation or Pilot mode right now. However, we know of several service providers who are planning to launch commercial services on their quantum networks next year.” He pointed to EPB Broadband in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as one example.
Ricotta also said it is important to offer a solution like AliroNet as a service since it is still early in the evolution of quantum networks. “Quantum networking is very new and complex,” he said. “It requires deep knowledge of both classical networking and quantum physics. Aliro has spent the past 3 years building a very special team that blends these fields of knowledge. Very few organizations have both these skill sets available, and so providing a turnkey, fully integrated solution, with a customizable set of services is seen as a really good “on ramp” for an organization’s quantum communications journey.”
More details from Aliro Quantum about the three AliroNet modes:
AliroNet Emulation Mode includes the easy-to-use, customizable, and scalable Aliro Simulator for emulating multi-vendor quantum hardware and optical fiber, an insight-generating visualization suite, and the ability to model uncertainty and quantum mechanics at the single-photon level with utmost physical accuracy. These capabilities can be used to accelerate pilot design and emulation by running full-stack quantum network protocol emulations with extremely high time resolution, integrating classical communications, benchmarking against industry standards, and identifying design bottlenecks to network performance. AliroNet Emulation Mode includes noise models, delay models, protocol tests, realistic simulation, and professional services.
AliroNet Pilot Mode includes everything supported in Emulation Mode and delivers the full-stack quantum network implementation for small scale pilot and trial deployments on third-party hardware with AlirOS. This includes initial experimentation, protocol tuning, testing interoperability and integration, debugging, calibration, and network orchestration with Aliro Orchestrator.
AliroNet Deployment Mode includes everything supported in Pilot Mode in addition to full-scale orchestration and on-device control software with universal network support. Deployment Mode includes Aliro Operating System (AlirOS) and Aliro Controller software which operates on hardware devices, nodes, and components in the quantum network to enable end-to-end applications for multiple concurrent users. AliroNet Deployment Mode is also available in an orchestration-only configuration which may be used to configure, control, and manage third-party control software running on third-party hardware components. AliroNet Deployment Mode scales pilots into production quantum networks spanning large geographical distances.
Dan O’Shea has covered telecommunications and related topics including semiconductors, sensors, retail systems, digital payments and quantum computing/technology for over 25 years.