Model-Driven Digital Twin Framework for Quantum Networks
2026-07-11 • Software Engineering
Software EngineeringNetworking and Internet Architecture
AI summaryⓘ
The authors discuss how quantum networks are growing but evaluating them is complicated because of many different tools and systems. They suggest using Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) to connect and improve these diverse parts systematically. They identify what is needed for design and operation times, and propose different ways to organize the system architecture. To show their idea, they present a case study combining several tools and models. Their work aims to create flexible and compatible digital twins for quantum networks.
Quantum NetworksDigital TwinModel-Driven EngineeringSysML v2QKD (Quantum Key Distribution)EMF (Eclipse Modeling Framework)SeQUeNCeSystem ArchitectureRuntime Synchronisation
Authors
Amal Elsokary, Hayato Ishida, Ran Wei, Michael J. de C. Henshaw, Siyuan Ji
Abstract
Quantum networks are advancing towards larger and more operational infrastructures, yet their evaluation remains fragmented across heterogeneous physical platforms, simulators, protocols, and architectural abstractions. Current digital-twin studies for quantum networks mainly realise isolated capabilities or application-specific solutions rather than reusable system-level twins. This paper argues that Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) can provide a systematic basis for integrating and evolving these heterogeneous artefacts. It derives requirements for design-time evaluation and runtime synchronisation, and proposes a progression of architectures from code-driven and domain-model-driven solutions to point-to-point and hub-and-spoke integration. A conceptual implementation case study illustrates this using SysML v2, QKD kit, an EMF-based controller, and SeQUeNCe. The work provides a foundation for adaptable and interoperable digital twins for quantum networks.