Modelling of satellite constellations for trusted node QKD networks

Vergoossen, Tom; Loarte, Sergio; Bedington, Robert; Kuiper, Hans; Ling, Alexander

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.02.010

Cited by 52 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The ability to precisely evaluate the contribution due to different weather conditions will be crucial in many situations. The geographical sites with better conditions can be more precisely mapped, in order to optimize the structure of future global quantum networks [65][66][67][68][69]. Through the use of this model, the data from meteorological predictions can directly be linked to the key rate achievable by the QKD link, allowing more accurate statistical studies of the number of operative days per year.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite-based links for quantum key distribution: beam effects and weather dependence

2019

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The establishment of a world-wide quantum communication network relies on the synergistic integration of satellite-based links and fiber-based networks. The first are helpful for long-distance communication, as the photon losses introduced by the optical fibers are too detrimental for lengths greater than about 200 km. This work aims at giving, on the one hand, a comprehensive and fundamental model for the losses suffered by the quantum signals during the propagation along an atmospheric free-space link. On the other hand, a performance analysis of different quantum key distribution (QKD) implementations is performed, including finite-key effects, focusing on different interesting practical scenarios. The specific approach that we chose allows to precisely model the contribution due to different weather conditions, paving the way towards more accurate feasibility studies of satellite-based QKD missions. IntroductionQuantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum communication in general have the potential to revolutionise the way we communicate confidential information over the internet. The natural carriers for quantum information are photons, that are already widely used in classical networks of optical fibers to achieve high communication rates. Unfortunately, even though enormous improvements have been obtained in the last years [1, 2], scaling quantum communication protocols over long distances is very challenging, due to the losses experienced during the propagation inside the optical fibers. Several schemes for the realization of quantum repeaters have been proposed in recent years, that could allow to bridge long distances and naturally be implemented inside a quantum communication network [3][4][5][6][7]. Considering the important technological hurdles that quantum repeaters should overcome before becoming useful, satellite-based free-space links look like the most practical way to achieve long-distance QKD in the short term [8]. They can take advantage of the satellite technology and the optical communication methods developed in the last decades in the classical case. Various feasibility studies had addressed this topic in the last twenty years [8][9][10][11] and several experiments have definitely proved that the technology involved is ready for deployment [12][13][14][15][16].Optical satellite-based links have the important drawback of being strongly dependent on the weather conditions [17][18][19][20]. The presence of turbulent eddies and scattering particles like haze or fog generates random fluctuations of the relative permittivity of the air, on different length-and time-scales. This phenomenon affects the light propagation in a complicated way, inducing random deviations and deformations of any optical beam sent through the atmosphere. It results in reduced transmittance, because of geometrical losses due to the finite collection aperture, and random modifications of the phase front. A comprehensive model of these effects is then necessary, in order to precisely evaluate the performance of the link w...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite-based links for quantum key distribution: beam effects and weather dependence

2019

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“…Several proposals for satellite-based quantum networks have been made that use satellite-to-ground transmission, ground-tosatellite transmission, or both 50,53,54,[61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69] . Recent experiments 65,[70][71][72][73][74][75][76] (see also ref.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…constellations for entanglement distribution 69,78 , to our knowledge, the type of dynamic quantum network simulation with satellite constellations that we consider, along with optimization over different constellation configurations, has not been previously studied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spooky action at a global distance: analysis of space-based entanglement distribution for the quantum internet

et al. 2021

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Recent experimental breakthroughs in satellite quantum communications have opened up the possibility of creating a global quantum internet using satellite links. This approach appears to be particularly viable in the near term, due to the lower attenuation of optical signals from satellite to ground, and due to the currently short coherence times of quantum memories. The latter prevents ground-based entanglement distribution using atmospheric or optical-fiber links at high rates over long distances. In this work, we propose a global-scale quantum internet consisting of a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides a continuous, on-demand entanglement distribution service to ground stations. The satellites can also function as untrusted nodes for the purpose of long-distance quantum-key distribution. We develop a technique for determining optimal satellite configurations with continuous coverage that balances both the total number of satellites and entanglement-distribution rates. Using this technique, we determine various optimal satellite configurations for a polar-orbit constellation, and we analyze the resulting satellite-to-ground loss and achievable entanglement-distribution rates for multiple ground station configurations. We also provide a comparison between these entanglement-distribution rates and the rates of ground-based quantum repeater schemes. Overall, our work provides the theoretical tools and the experimental guidance needed to make a satellite-based global quantum internet a reality.

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“…In 2017, the 640-kg "Micius" satellite was launched [134]. In a 273-second satellite pass and using a 1-m telescope on the ground, sifted key rates of about 12 kbps at 645 km to 1 kbps at 1,200 km were expected [135]. After post-processing, 1.1 kbps for the secure key was obtained.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantum Key Distribution

et al. 2020

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The convergence of quantum cryptography with applications used in everyday life is a topic drawing attention from the industrial and academic worlds. The development of quantum electronics has led to the practical achievement of quantum devices that are already available on the market and waiting for their first The research leading to the published results was supported by the project SGS reg. no.

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Modelling of satellite constellations for trusted node QKD networks

Cited by 52 publications

References 15 publications

Satellite-based links for quantum key distribution: beam effects and weather dependence

Satellite-based links for quantum key distribution: beam effects and weather dependence

Spooky action at a global distance: analysis of space-based entanglement distribution for the quantum internet

Quantum Key Distribution

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