We propose and study the feasibility of wireless quantum key distribution (QKD) in indoor environments. Such systems are essential in providing wireless access to the developing quantum communications networks. We find a practical regime of operation, where, in the presence of background noise and loss, secret keys can be exchanged. Our findings identify the trade-off between the acceptable amount of background noise and the receiver field of view, where the latter determines the accessibility of the QKD system. In particular, we show that, with a proper setting, we can provide mobility for the QKD users without imposing stringent conditions on beam steering.We propose and study the feasibility of wireless quantum key distribution (QKD) in indoor environments. Such systems are essential in providing wireless access to the developing quantum communications networks. We find a practical regime of operation, where, in the presence of background noise and loss, secret keys can be exchanged. Our findings identify the trade-off between the acceptable amount of background noise and the receiver field of view, where the latter determines the accessibility of the QKD system. In particular, we show that, with a proper setting, we can provide mobility for the QKD users without imposing stringent conditions on beam steering.

IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps)Dec 1, 20154 citations

Wireless Quantum Key Distribution in Indoor Environments

El Mabrok, Osama Mohamed Ibrahim

Among all emerging quantum information technologies, quantum key distribution (QKD) is one of the most developed techniques. QKD harnesses the intrinsic laws of quantum mechanics to provide a method for distributing secret random keys, which can be used for data encryption and decryption between two intended users. QKD has already been demonstrated in different scenarios over optical fibre and in atmospheric channels. QKD has also been used for security assurance in several network settings, in addition of being commercially available today. Despite remarkable progress in QKD systems, convenient access to the developing quantum communications networks is still missing. Adopting QKD in mobile devices would enable such a service, particularly, in indoor environments. This is in line with the recent advancement in fabricating microchip-scale QKD devices, which would ease this incorporation into mobile devices. This work focuses on the access networks, and, in particular, it addresses the wireless mode of access in indoor environments for QKD networks. We find a practical regime of operation, where, in the presence of external light sources and loss, secret keys can be exchanged. We then propose practical configurations that would enable wireless access to hybrid quantum-classical networks. The proposed setups would allow an indoor wireless user, equipped with a QKD-enabled mobile device, to communicate securely with a remote party on the other end of the access network. We account for adverse effects of the background noise induced by Raman scattered light on the QKD receivers due to the transmission of both quantum and classical signals over the same fibre. In addition, we consider the loss and the background noise that arise from indoor environments. We consider a number of discrete and continuous-variable QKD protocols and study their performance in different scenarios. In our analysis we consider the asymptotic scenario, as well as the finite-size key effects. In the former case, an infinite number of signals are assumed to be exchanged between the sender and the recipient, whereas in the latter, which represents the practical scenario, a finite number of signals are exchanged between the two users. Our results indicate that a feasible regime of operation for wireless QKD exists. This makes the QKD technologies available to end users of a communications network.Among all emerging quantum information technologies, quantum key distribution (QKD) is one of the most developed techniques. QKD harnesses the intrinsic laws of quantum mechanics to provide a method for distributing secret random keys, which can be used for data encryption and decryption between two intended users. QKD has already been demonstrated in different scenarios over optical fibre and in atmospheric channels. QKD has also been used for security assurance in several network settings, in addition of being commercially available today. Despite remarkable progress in QKD systems, convenient access to the developing quantum communications networks is still missing. Adopting QKD in mobile devices would enable such a service, particularly, in indoor environments. This is in line with the recent advancement in fabricating microchip-scale QKD devices, which would ease this incorporation into mobile devices. This work focuses on the access networks, and, in particular, it addresses the wireless mode of access in indoor environments for QKD networks. We find a practical regime of operation, where, in the presence of external light sources and loss, secret keys can be exchanged. We then propose practical configurations that would enable wireless access to hybrid quantum-classical networks. The proposed setups would allow an indoor wireless user, equipped with a QKD-enabled mobile device, to communicate securely with a remote party on the other end of the access network. We account for adverse effects of the background noise induced by Raman scattered light on the QKD receivers due to the transmission of both quantum and classical signals over the same fibre. In addition, we consider the loss and the background noise that arise from indoor environments. We consider a number of discrete and continuous-variable QKD protocols and study their performance in different scenarios. In our analysis we consider the asymptotic scenario, as well as the finite-size key effects. In the former case, an infinite number of signals are assumed to be exchanged between the sender and the recipient, whereas in the latter, which represents the practical scenario, a finite number of signals are exchanged between the two users. Our results indicate that a feasible regime of operation for wireless QKD exists. This makes the QKD technologies available to end users of a communications network.

Jun 27, 20180 citations

High-Dimensional Quantum Key Distribution in Quantum Access Networks

Osama Elmabrok, Mohsen Razavi, Tawfig Eltaif +1 more

We investigate the use of high-dimensional quantum key distribution (HD-QKD) for wireless access to hybrid quantum-classical networks. We use $d$ -dimensional time-phase encoded states to exchange a secret key between an indoor wireless user and the central office on the other end of the access network. We evaluate the performance in the case of transmitting quantum and classical signals over the same passive optical network by accounting for the impact of background noise induced by the Raman-scattered light on the QKD receiver. We also take into account the loss and background noise that occur in indoor environments as well as finite key effects in our analysis. By studying the system under nominal simulation conditions, we identify regimes of operation in which an HD-QKD system with $d=4$ can outperform its qubit-based counterpart.We investigate the use of high-dimensional quantum key distribution (HD-QKD) for wireless access to hybrid quantum-classical networks. We use$d$-dimensional time-phase encoded states to exchange a secret key between an indoor wireless user and the central office on the other end of the access network. We evaluate the performance in the case of transmitting quantum and classical signals over the same passive optical network by accounting for the impact of background noise induced by the Raman-scattered light on the QKD receiver. We also take into account the loss and background noise that occur in indoor environments as well as finite key effects in our analysis. By studying the system under nominal simulation conditions, we identify regimes of operation in which an HD-QKD system with$d=4$can outperform its qubit-based counterpart.

arXiv:2211.07109IEEE photonics journalApr 2, 20240 citations

Quantum-Classical Access Networks with Embedded Optical Wireless Links

Osama Elmabrok, Mohsen Razavi

We examine the applicability of wireless indoor quantum key distribution (QKD) in hybrid quantum-classical networks. We propose practical configurations that would enable wireless access to such networks. The proposed scenarios would allow an indoor wireless user, equipped with a QKD-enabled mobile device, to communicate securely with a remote party on the other end of the access network. QKD signals, sent through wireless indoor channels, are combined with classical ones and sent over the same fiber link to the remote user. Dense wavelength-division multiplexing would enable the simultaneous transmission of quantum and classical signals over the same fiber. We consider the adverse effects of the background noise induced by Raman scattered light on the QKD receivers due to such an integration. In addition, we consider the loss and the background noise that arise from indoor environments. Decoy-state BB84 and measurement device-independent protocols are employed for the secret key rate analysis.We examine the applicability of wireless indoor quantum key distribution (QKD) in hybrid quantum-classical networks. We propose practical configurations that would enable wireless access to such networks. The proposed scenarios would allow an indoor wireless user, equipped with a QKD-enabled mobile device, to communicate securely with a remote party on the other end of the access network. QKD signals, sent through wireless indoor channels, are combined with classical ones and sent over the same fiber link to the remote user. Dense wavelength-division multiplexing would enable the simultaneous transmission of quantum and classical signals over the same fiber. We consider the adverse effects of the background noise induced by Raman scattered light on the QKD receivers due to such an integration. In addition, we consider the loss and the background noise that arise from indoor environments. Decoy-state BB84 and measurement device-independent protocols are employed for the secret key rate analysis.

IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps)Dec 1, 20161 citation

Quantum-classical access networks with embedded optical wireless links

Osama Elmabrok, Masoud Ghalaii, Mohsen Razavi

We examine the applicability of wireless indoor quantum key distribution (QKD) in hybrid quantum-classical networks. We propose practical configurations that would enable wireless access to such networks. The proposed setups would allow an indoor wireless user, equipped with a QKD-enabled mobile device, to communicate securely with a remote party on the other end of the access network. QKD signals, sent through wireless indoor channels, are combined with classical ones and sent over shared fiber links to the remote user. Dense wavelengthdivision multiplexing would enable the simultaneous transmission of quantum and classical signals over the same fiber. We consider the adverse effects of the background noise induced by Raman scattered light on the QKD receivers due to such an integration. In addition, we consider the loss and the background noise that arise from indoor environments. We consider a number of discrete and continuous-variable QKD protocols and study their performance in different scenarios.We examine the applicability of wireless indoor quantum key distribution (QKD) in hybrid quantum-classical networks. We propose practical configurations that would enable wireless access to such networks. The proposed setups would allow an indoor wireless user, equipped with a QKD-enabled mobile device, to communicate securely with a remote party on the other end of the access network. QKD signals, sent through wireless indoor channels, are combined with classical ones and sent over shared fiber links to the remote user. Dense wavelengthdivision multiplexing would enable the simultaneous transmission of quantum and classical signals over the same fiber. We consider the adverse effects of the background noise induced by Raman scattered light on the QKD receivers due to such an integration. In addition, we consider the loss and the background noise that arise from indoor environments. We consider a number of discrete and continuous-variable QKD protocols and study their performance in different scenarios.

arXiv:1707.02280Journal of the Optical Society of America BFeb 2, 201813 citations

An overview of Quantum Cryptography for Wireless Networking Infrastructure

K.H. Sheikh, Syed.S. Hyder, Muhammad Mubashir Khan

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is used in Quantum Cryptographic Systems to exchange secret key between parties who need to communicate secretly. Such a key can be used with a symmetric encryption schemes to establish a secure communication. Until recently, QKD is possible using optical fiber over few tens of kilometers but not more due to single photons getting absorbed by the fiber. There are no commercial wireless quantum crypto products yet, but QKD will soon be used in wireless medium from satellite to the earth so we could get 10,000 miles. But wireless medium brings its own problems. The energy transmitted via a wireless link spreads out, leading to higher and varying transmission losses, ambient daylight, or even light from the moon at night couple into the receiver, leading to a higher error rate. Interference from other photon sources air with clouds, dust and unsettled conditions creates intervention. In this paper, different techniques for communication in Quantum Cryptography using wireless networking infrastructure are discussed.Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is used in Quantum Cryptographic Systems to exchange secret key between parties who need to communicate secretly. Such a key can be used with a symmetric encryption schemes to establish a secure communication. Until recently, QKD is possible using optical fiber over few tens of kilometers but not more due to single photons getting absorbed by the fiber. There are no commercial wireless quantum crypto products yet, but QKD will soon be used in wireless medium from satellite to the earth so we could get 10,000 miles. But wireless medium brings its own problems. The energy transmitted via a wireless link spreads out, leading to higher and varying transmission losses, ambient daylight, or even light from the moon at night couple into the receiver, leading to a higher error rate. Interference from other photon sources air with clouds, dust and unsettled conditions creates intervention. In this paper, different techniques for communication in Quantum Cryptography using wireless networking infrastructure are discussed.

International Conference on Collaboration Technologies and Systems (CTS)Jul 10, 200611 citations

We investigate the use of high-dimensional quantum key distribution (HD-QKD) for wireless access to hybrid quantum-classical networks. We use

d

-dimensional time-phase encoded states to exchange a secret key between an indoor wireless user and the central office on the other end of the access network. We evaluate the performance in the case of transmitting quantum and classical signals over the same passive optical network by accounting for the impact of background noise induced by the Raman-scattered light on the QKD receiver. We also take into account the loss and background noise that occur in indoor environments as well as finite key effects in our analysis. By studying the system under nominal simulation conditions, we identify regimes of operation in which an HD-QKD system with

d=4

can outperform its qubit-based counterpart.