qkdSim, a Simulation Toolkit for Quantum Key Distribution Including Imperfections: Performance Analysis and Demonstration of the B92 Protocol Using Heralded Photons
Rishab Chatterjee, Kaushik Joarder, Sourav Chatterjee, Barry C. Sanders, Urbasi Sinha
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is one of the most important aspects of quantum cryptography. Using laws of quantum mechanics as the basis for security, the key-distribution process makes information theoretically secure in QKD. With the advancement and commercialization of QKD, an end-to-end QKD simulation software is required that can include experimental imperfections. Software of this kind will ensure that resources are invested only after prior performance analysis, and is faithful to experimental capacities and limitations. In this work, we introduce our QKD simulation toolkit qkdSim, which is ultimately aimed at being developed into such a software package that can precisely model and analyze any generic QKD protocol. We present the design, implementation, and testing of a prototype of qkdSim that can accurately simulate our own experimental demonstration of the B92 protocol. The simulation results match well with experiment; a representative key rate and the quantum bit error rate from experiment is $51\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5$ kbit/sec and $4.79\mathrm{%}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01\mathrm{%}$ respectively, wherein the simulation yields $52.83\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.36$ kbit/sec and $4.79\mathrm{%}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01\mathrm{%}$, respectively.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is one of the most important aspects of quantum cryptography. Using laws of quantum mechanics as the basis for security, the key-distribution process makes information theoretically secure in QKD. With the advancement and commercialization of QKD, an end-to-end QKD simulation software is required that can include experimental imperfections. Software of this kind will ensure that resources are invested only after prior performance analysis, and is faithful to experimental capacities and limitations. In this work, we introduce our QKD simulation toolkit qkdSim, which is ultimately aimed at being developed into such a software package that can precisely model and analyze any generic QKD protocol. We present the design, implementation, and testing of a prototype of qkdSim that can accurately simulate our own experimental demonstration of the B92 protocol. The simulation results match well with experiment; a representative key rate and the quantum bit error rate from experiment is 51\ifmmode±\else\textpm\fi0.5 kbit/sec and 4.79\mathrm{%}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01\mathrm{%} respectively, wherein the simulation yields 52.83\ifmmode±\else\textpm\fi0.36 kbit/sec and 4.79\mathrm{%}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01\mathrm{%}, respectively.
This paper presents the development, comparison, and analysis of several implementations of the B92 Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocol. To achieve this goal three prototypes which consists of traditional simulators (non-quantum) were created, one for the B92 protocol, one for the B92 protocol with an eavesdropper, and one for the B92 protocol with the Quantum Bit Travel Time (QBTT) eavesdropper detection method. The principles of quantum mechanics were studied, as a foundation of quantum cryptography, for the implementation of the simulation programs that were written in C++, focusing mainly on the B92 protocol and QBTT eavesdropper detection method. We compared the Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) for the implementation of the B92 protocol without an eavesdropper, the B92 protocol with an eavesdropper and the B92 protocol with the QBTT eavesdropper detection method and found that the latest one significantly reduces the QBER from the final key.
The demand for security is growing exponentially in every field of developing technology. Over the decades, classical and modern cryptographic algorithms have served this need with an appreciable performance. But with the realization of threats to this backbone cryptography, researchers have developed a keen interest in Quantum cryptography(QC). QC provides an unconditionally secure means of information transfer through the basic laws of quantum mechanics. Quantum key distribution(QKD) is one of the most developed application of QC. But due to primitive technology it is still facing many developmental glitches. Although there is a fare amount of QKD experimentation available, the experiments are limited with specific set of parameters. To observe the effect of parameter variation it is essential to model the QKD process. This paper discusses the simulation approach for understanding and testing the working of practical prepare and measure QKD protocol. The developed model is tested with the experimental test data from three QKD setups. Performance parameters such as quantum bit error rate and secret key rate are analyzed. It is observed that the simulated results matches with the experimental results.
Realistic simulation of quantum key distribution (QKD) networks requires a combination of precise models of quantum channels and network functions. Unfortunately, existing QKD network simulators lack either rigorous quantum physics modeling or network key-management and routing protocols, which limit their practical applicability. To address this limitation, we propose a QKD network simulator with hyperparameter tuning (QKDSim-HT), a NetSquid-based simulator specialized for polarization-based discrete-variable QKD networks. Specifically, QKDSim-HT models properties in quantum physics (photon loss, polarization-dependent depolarization, detector inefficiencies, dark counts, and dead times) as well as advanced functionalities in networking algorithms (multi-hop key relay and adaptive routing). Extensive simulations over diverse topologies reveal that the networking performance varied with respect to the fundamental properties of quantum physics, such as depolarization, fiber length, and channel attenuation. As a representative use case of QKDSim-HT, simulation results from QKDSim-HT over simple examples clearly manifest that a design of QKD networks highly affects performance of the networks. Accordingly, QKDSim-HT can serve as a practical platform for performance evaluation and optimization of quantum secured network.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) which is the name of cryptography in quantum environment act as the highest developed area in quantum communication and computing technology (QCIT). \n \nQKD is inventive technology which utilize the laws of quantum to create a cryptographic share key to make the communication system secure. The unique feature of QKD assures eavesdropping detectable during quantum communications which is fascinating for a high-level secure environment.Most of the traditional cryptographic methods which we use currently are based on mathematical scheme or Computational complexity theory which are not completely safe. Using quantum cryptography has been achieved extensive steps in communication security establishment. As the information Unit has been changed from “bit” to Quantum bit (Qubit), a new element has been offered that can guarantee the shared information confidentiality between parties. The confidentiality of system is established via exchanging a secret key through a channel of quantum, the key which we use for encrypting the shared data. This structure has quantum integration which has been developed by physics law and techniques of cryptography. \n \nThis thesis has proposed a modified version of QKD protocol, this new protocol will generate a cryptographic share key for a more efficient, lower cost and secure communication between two parties (sender and Receiver). This new protocol principal is similar to BBM92, but the source of photon moved to sender instead of third-party photon generator, following steps will be executed in this Experiment: \n \n•\tObserve different categories protocols of QKD in details \n•\tThe Quantum Mechanics Visualisation Project (QuVis) is the simulation software that has been used for implementing the proposed protocol [BB84 with spin] among the other three (BBM92, B92 and BB84). \n•\tProbability ratio of error will be tested and compared for all protocols, for this experiment 100 to 5000 photons will be sent. \n \nBy Analysing collected data in this experiment, it will be determined which one of this four protocols lead the detecting of eavesdropping. Simulation software accomplishes the value of error key probability which receiver can use and should not pass over the range limit of 0.25 & 0.5.
Quantum computing poses significant threats to conventional cryptographic techniques such as RSA and AES, motivating the need for quantum secure communication methods. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers information theoretic security based on fundamental quantum principles. This paper presents a simulation-based analysis of well-known QKD protocols, namely BB84, B92, and E91, using the IBM Qiskit framework. Realistic quantum channel effects, including noise, decoherence, and eavesdropping, are modeled to evaluate protocol performance. Key metrics such as error rate, secret key generation, and security characteristics are analyzed and compared. The study highlights practical challenges in QKD implementation, including hardware limitations and channel losses, and discusses insights toward scalable and robust quantum communication systems. The results support the feasibility of QKD as a promising solution for secure communication in the quantum era.
The security of information in Internet-based communication is essential. The existence of tappers to make information can be known by unauthorized parties, and it will give a fake information from the previous one. As technology develops, secure communication protocols become an important part. Quantum Key Distribution is a nowadays technology as a part of security improvement to overcome key distribution issues in against attackers. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) uses a quantum property in exchanging information called photons, as carriers of information in security systems. QKD is inseparable from protocols BB84 and B92, therefore the purposes of this paper are to test QuVis based on future work of previous research, analyze the probability error comparison of BB84 protocol, B92 protocol and simulator software review. The results of this research show that B92 protocol gives more advantage in detecting eavesdropping in lower rates than BB84 protocol and the software simulation is succeed by showing the value of probability key that can be used by Bob which does not cross the limit (0.5 and 0.25).