A Survey of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Technologies

Hodson

et al. 2014

In this paper, we present modeling a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system with its components using the Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS) formalism. The DEVS formalism assures the developed component models are composable and exhibit well-defined temporal behavior independent of the simulation environment. These attributes enable users to assemble a valid simulation using any collection of compatible components to represent complete QKD system architectures. To illustrate the approach, we introduce a prototypical ''prepare and measure'' QKD system, decompose one of its subsystems, and present the detailed modeling of the subsystem using the DEVS formalism. The developed models are provably composable and exhibit behavior suitable for the intended analytic purpose, thus improving the validity of the simulation. Finally, we examine issues identified during the verification of the conceptual DEVS model and discuss the impact of these findings on implementing a hybrid QKD simulation framework.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Commercial QKD systems are available today and several governments have already instituted QKD to secure communication circuits. 7,8…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using the Discrete Event System Specification to model Quantum Key Distribution system components

Morris

Hodson

et al. 2014

“…2 From its relatively unnoticed beginnings, QKD has gained global interest with numerous research and development efforts across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America to include the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Sandia National Laboratories, the Laboratory of Telecommunication Sciences, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army. 3 While the theoretical security proofs of QKD are well researched, 4 little consideration has been given to practical security issues such as implementation non-idealities in realized systems. 5 For example, in real-world QKD systems it is difficult to perfectly balance two or more single photon detector efficiencies or prove the perfect randomness of a quantum random number generator.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing the decoy state protocol in a practically oriented Quantum Key Distribution system-level model

Engle

Mailloux

et al. 2017

Self Cite

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an emerging cybersecurity technology that exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to generate unconditionally secure symmetric cryptographic keying material. The unique nature of QKD shows promise for high-security environments such as those found in banking, government, and the military. However, QKD systems often have implementation non-idealities that can negatively impact their performance and security. This article describes the development of a system-level model designed to study implementation non-idealities in commercially available decoy state enabled QKD systems. Specifically, this paper provides a detailed discussion of the decoy state protocol, its implementation, and its usage to detect sophisticated attacks, such as the photon number splitting attack. In addition, this work suggests an efficient and repeatable systems engineering methodology for understanding and studying communications protocols, architectures, operational configurations, and implementation tradeoffs in complex cyber systems.

“…Commercial QKD systems are available today and several governments have already instituted QKD to secure communication circuits. 3,4 While QKD technology offers promise for securing commercial and military communications, real implementations of QKD systems differ significantly from their ideal theoretical models. This is a consequence of the fact that QKD systems are built using non-ideal components, which differ significantly from ideal counterparts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discrete Event Simulation of the quantum channel within a Quantum Key Distribution system

Sorensen

2015

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technology that offers the means for two geographically separated parties to create a shared, unconditionally secure, secret key. QKD is unique in its ability to detect any third-party eavesdropping on the key exchange. While QKD technology offers promise for securing military communications, QKD systems are built using non-ideal components that differ significantly from ideal theoretical implementations. For this reason, there is a need to accurately and efficiently model and simulate different QKD system configurations in order to evaluate their security and performance characteristics. In this paper, we examine two competing ways of modeling a quantum channel within a QKD system: one treats photon packets as wave packets and the other simply as particles with no regard to wave equations. The performance statistics of these simulation models, including speed, memory, and accuracy, are compared with the physical solution and each other to determine the optimal model for use in the specific context of modeling and simulation of QKD systems. The results reveal that the wave packet method, while being approximately 110 times slower than the particle method for modeling single photons, provides the most accurate simulation protocol required for modeling and simulation of QKD systems.