The QEYSSAT mission: on-orbit demonstration of secure optical communications network technologies

Scott, Alan; Jennewein, Thomas; Cain, Jeff; D’Souza, Ian; Higgins, Brendon L.; Hudson, Danya; Podmore, Hugh; Soh, Warren

doi:10.1117/12.2574154

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…This means that the ongoing development is iterative and continuous and will allow for modifications that respect the relevant mission requirements. As a first complete end-to-end verification test, we plan to establish quantum uplinks to the QEYSSat quantum satellite [11], [13], [16]. QEYSSat is one out of several upcoming quantum satellites that will enable QKD between a space node and a ground station, which holds the promise of the global distribution of secure encryption keys.…”

Section: Qeyssatmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, using laser or thermal annealing techniques, QEYSSat is designed to plausibly maintain the dark count rate below that required for many quantum experiments [17], [18], [19]. Since the objective of the ongoing development is to demonstrate a quantum uplink to QEYSSat as an initial verification experiment, we use this section to summarize some important parameters of the QEYSSat mission [11] that impact the ground station design. These parameters will be used in Section 2.3 to calculate the quantum link performance and to guide the ground station design.…”

Section: Qeyssatmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Enhancing the optical communication telescope laboratory to support quantum communications between earth and space

Lohrmann,

Craiciu,

Matthews

et al. 2024

Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation IV

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We report on the design and development of a quantum backend for an optical ground station for space-based quantum communication and science experiments. The quantum backend will enable the Optical Communication Telescope Laboratory (OCTL) to establish links with quantum satellites in the future. We aim to test this quantum enabled ground station with upcoming satellite Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) missions. We present measurements of the ground station properties that are relevant for future quantum links. Specifically, we discuss the polarization disturbance imposed by the optical communication telescope and present mitigation strategies in the form of polarization control systems. In addition to the optical design, we also present an end-to-end QKD model that is used to guide the development.

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Section: Qeyssatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Qeyssatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing the optical communication telescope laboratory to support quantum communications between earth and space

Lohrmann,

Craiciu,

Matthews

et al. 2024

Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation IV

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show abstract

“…32 SatQuMA handles this optimisation and can give an understanding of the effects of different operational scenarios on the key rate, which informs the development of source and receiver systems for future satellite missions. [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] 3. RESULTS…”

Section: Satqkd Key Length Analysis Toolkitmentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite quantum key distribution performance analysis and optimization with finite key size constraints

Sidhu¹,

Brougham²,

McArthur³

et al. 2023

Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation III

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Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a potential mitigation against quantum computation advances that threaten currently deployed public key cryptosystems. QKD is also a precursor to large-scale quantum communications and the quantum internet. Terrestrial direct transmission of quantum photonic signals is restricted by optical fibre exponential absorption, hence space-based systems have been proposed for intercontinental distribution of quantum keys with lower-loss free-space transmission through vacuum. However, challenges remain for the practical deployment of satellite QKD (SatQKD) such as weather, background light, and terminal deployment. In particular, the short transmission time inherent in low Earth orbit satellite QKD and finite statistical uncertainty can limit secure key generation. Here we illustrate the analysis of these effects and some practical engineering design and operational constraints on key length using the Satellite Quantum Modelling and Analysis (SatQuMA) software package being developed for satellite quantum communications research.

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“…To support this, the QEYSSat payload will possess a large front-end telescope for light collection, polarization discriminating optics, and single-photon avalanche diodes [29]. Support for a WCP downlink protocol is also being developed.…”

Section: Satqkd Using Bbm92 In Uplink or Downlink Configurationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Finite resource performance of small satellite-based quantum key distribution missions

Islam¹,

Sidhu²,

Higgins³

et al. 2022

Preprint

Self Cite

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In satellite-based quantum key distribution (QKD), the number of secret bits that can be generated in a single satellite pass over the ground station is severely restricted by the pass duration and the free-space optical channel loss. High channel loss may decrease the signal-to-noise ratio due to background noise, reduce the number of generated raw key bits, and increase the quantum bit error rate (QBER), all of which have detrimental effects on the output secret key length. Under finite-size security analysis, higher QBER increases the minimum raw key length necessary for non-zero key length extraction due to less efficient reconciliation and post-processing overheads. We show that recent developments in finite key analysis allow three different small-satellite-based QKD projects CQT-Sat, UK-QUARC-ROKS, and QEYSSat to produce secret keys even under very high loss conditions, improving on estimates based on older finite key bounds.

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The QEYSSAT mission: on-orbit demonstration of secure optical communications network technologies

Cited by 4 publications

References 2 publications

Enhancing the optical communication telescope laboratory to support quantum communications between earth and space

Enhancing the optical communication telescope laboratory to support quantum communications between earth and space

Satellite quantum key distribution performance analysis and optimization with finite key size constraints

Finite resource performance of small satellite-based quantum key distribution missions

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