QuISP: a Quantum Internet Simulation Package

TL;DR

QuISP is a simulation tool designed for large-scale quantum networks, enabling realistic, noisy, and heterogeneous network analysis to support protocol development for the future Quantum Internet.

Contribution

It introduces a scalable, event-driven simulation package built on OMNeT++ for modeling large quantum networks with realistic noise and heterogeneity.

Findings

Validated against analytic results for small networks

Capable of simulating thousands of qubits on a laptop

Supports study of emergent behaviors in complex quantum networks

Abstract

We present an event-driven simulation package called QuISP for large-scale quantum networks built on top of the OMNeT++ discrete event simulation framework. Although the behavior of quantum networking devices have been revealed by recent research, it is still an open question how they will work in networks of a practical size. QuISP is designed to simulate large-scale quantum networks to investigate their behavior under realistic, noisy and heterogeneous configurations. The protocol architecture we propose enables studies of different choices for error management and other key decisions. Our confidence in the simulator is supported by comparing its output to analytic results for a small network. A key reason for simulation is to look for emergent behavior when large numbers of individually characterized devices are combined. QuISP can handle thousands of qubits in dozens of nodes on a laptop computer, preparing for full Quantum Internet simulation. This simulator promotes the development of protocols for larger and more complex quantum networks.