Finite key performance of satellite quantum key distribution under practical constraints

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Sidhu, Jasminder S., Brougham, Thomas, McArthur, Duncan, Pousa, Roberto G., Oi, Daniel K. L.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
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author Sidhu, Jasminder S.
Brougham, Thomas
McArthur, Duncan
Pousa, Roberto G.
Oi, Daniel K. L.
author_facet Sidhu, Jasminder S.
Brougham, Thomas
McArthur, Duncan
Pousa, Roberto G.
Oi, Daniel K. L.
contents Global-scale quantum communication networks will require efficient long-distance distribution of quantum signals. Optical fibre communication channels have range constraints due to exponential losses in the absence of quantum memories and repeaters. Satellites enable intercontinental quantum communication by exploiting more benign inverse square free-space attenuation and long sight lines. However, the design and engineering of satellite quantum key distribution (QKD) systems are difficult and characteristic differences to terrestrial QKD networks and operations pose additional challenges. The typical approach to modelling satellite QKD (SatQKD) has been to estimate performances with a fully optimised protocol parameter space and with few payload and platform resource limitations. Here, we analyse how practical constraints affect the performance of SatQKD for the Bennett-Brassard 1984 (BB84) weak coherent pulse decoy state protocol with finite key size effects. We consider engineering limitations and trade-offs in mission design including limited in-orbit tunability, quantum random number generation rates and storage, and source intensity uncertainty. We quantify practical SatQKD performance limits to determine the long-term key generation capacity and provide important performance benchmarks to support the design of upcoming missions.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2301_13209
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Finite key performance of satellite quantum key distribution under practical constraints
Sidhu, Jasminder S.
Brougham, Thomas
McArthur, Duncan
Pousa, Roberto G.
Oi, Daniel K. L.
Quantum Physics
Global-scale quantum communication networks will require efficient long-distance distribution of quantum signals. Optical fibre communication channels have range constraints due to exponential losses in the absence of quantum memories and repeaters. Satellites enable intercontinental quantum communication by exploiting more benign inverse square free-space attenuation and long sight lines. However, the design and engineering of satellite quantum key distribution (QKD) systems are difficult and characteristic differences to terrestrial QKD networks and operations pose additional challenges. The typical approach to modelling satellite QKD (SatQKD) has been to estimate performances with a fully optimised protocol parameter space and with few payload and platform resource limitations. Here, we analyse how practical constraints affect the performance of SatQKD for the Bennett-Brassard 1984 (BB84) weak coherent pulse decoy state protocol with finite key size effects. We consider engineering limitations and trade-offs in mission design including limited in-orbit tunability, quantum random number generation rates and storage, and source intensity uncertainty. We quantify practical SatQKD performance limits to determine the long-term key generation capacity and provide important performance benchmarks to support the design of upcoming missions.
title Finite key performance of satellite quantum key distribution under practical constraints
topic Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.13209