US Patent 11411722 Method of operation of a quantum key controller

A quantum communication system has a plurality of trusted nodes. Each trusted node has a quantum key controller, and a quantum transmitter or a quantum receiver. The trusted nodes are configurable as first and second endpoint trusted nodes and middle-trusted nodes between endpoint trusted nodes. The first endpoint trusted node encrypt data comprising a first key, using a first quantum key. Each middle-trusted node decrypts, using a preceding quantum key, and re-encrypts using a succeeding quantum key. The second endpoint trusted node decrypts using a quantum key, so that the first and second endpoint trusted nodes each have the first key.