Towards quantum communication from global navigation satellite system

Abstract

Satellite-based quantum communication is an invaluable resource for the realization of a quantum network at the global scale. In this regard, the use of satellites well beyond the low Earth orbits gives the advantage of long communication time with a ground station. However, high-orbit satellites pose a great technological challenge due to the high diffraction losses of the optical channel, and the experimental investigation of such quantum channels is still lacking. Here, we report on the first experimental exchange of single photons from Global Navigation Satellite System at a slant distance of 20000 kilometers, by exploiting the retroreflector array mounted on GLONASS satellites. We also observed the predicted temporal spread of the reflected pulses due to the geometrical shape of array. Finally, we estimated the requirements needed for an active source on a satellite, aiming towards quantum communication from GNSS with state-of-the-art technology.

All-fiber self-compensating polarization encoder for quantum key distribution

“…Such simplicity renders our source suitable for CubeSat missions, where a small footprint and low energy consumption are of critical importance [20]. Furthermore, the temporal stability of the source attests the compatibility with QKD links with satellites even in Middle Earth Orbit [21], or part of a Global Navigation Satellite Systems [22], where visibility times between the ground station and satellite can exceed the hour.…”

Analysis of atmospheric effects on satellite-based quantum communication: a comparative study

“…This is a space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) system. For the commercial purpose, satellite-based QKD systems must be cost effective, small in size and reliable for real-field applications [60,68].The cryptographic key for implementing QKD technology aboard the Chinese satellite Micius, part of the quantum experiments at space scale (QUESS) mission placed into orbit in August 2016 and a number of quantum-optical experiments have been developed and conducted in recent times [60,68,[94][95][96][97].…”

“…Some of the relevant examples in this regard are the Japanese SOTA (small optical transponder) laser communication terminal onboard the microsatellite SOCRATES (space optical communications research advanced technology satellite), a hot-air balloon and photon reflection experiment was performed between the LAGEOS satellite (laser geodynamics satellite or laser geometric environmental observation survey, using action of corner-cube reflectors) and the Italian Matera Laser-Ranging Observatory (MLRO) as well as a recent Chinese experiment with a small payload on Tiangong-2 Space Lab in the Chinese Micius satellite. Further, QKD links between ground stations and airplanes have been demonstrated by many academic groups in Canada, Germany, Waterloo and Munich [60,68,98].…”

“…Other countries are also performing quantum-based satellite communication projects. Some of them are CubeSat Quantum Communications Mission started by U.K. and NanoBob project started by France and Austria [60,68].…”

“…The SpaceQuest experiment, which was jointly developed by the University of Waterloo and the German aerospace company OHB System, is mainly used for the testing of quantum-physical effect known as gravitationally induced decoherence. The subsystem was mainly developed by University of Waterloo, in which quantum key distribution is a secondary mission [60,68]. In addition to the successful Chinese experiments, several satellite based quantum communication schemes [17, 34, 35, 55, 69-73, 75-84, 86-88, 113] have also been proposed.…”