Jointly optimize scheduled separation and block allocation under strict service guarantees

Jointly optimize the scheduled separation and the number of allocated entanglement-generation blocks for sessions requiring high service probabilities, while incorporating the session-expiry deadline into the service-time guarantee.

Background

The Arqon architecture provides service agreements requiring a target number of packets to be generated before expiry with at least a specified service probability. In the paper’s evaluation, the optimized scheduled separation is assessed under a relaxed service probability, and the service guarantee is verified empirically rather than enforced jointly by the optimization.

For stricter service probabilities, reducing the scheduled separation can cause minimum-separation violations and skipped packet-generation attempts. Additional blocks may therefore be needed to compensate for these skips. The paper identifies the joint optimization of separation and block allocation, potentially subject to an expiry deadline, as unresolved.

References

Higher service probabilities require the scheduler to allocate additional blocks to compensate for minimum separation violations. Jointly optimizing the separation and the block allocation in this regime remains open. This joint optimization could also incorporate the session's expiry, guaranteeing the service time meets the deadline.

— Tools for Reducing Service Time in Near-Term Quantum Networks  (2608.20954 - Smith et al., 21 Aug 2026) in Section VI, Discussion