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arXiv:2308.00011

Satellite-based Quantum Network: Security and Challenges over Atmospheric Channel

Hong-fu Chou, Vu Nguyen Ha, Hayder Al-Hraishawi, Luis Manuel Garcés-Socarrás, Jorge Luis González Ríos, Juan Carlos Merlano Duncán, Symeon Chatzinotas

Published Jul 29, 2023• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The ultra-secure quantum network leverages quantum cryptography to deliver unsurpassed data transfer security. In principle, the well-known quantum key distribution (QKD) achieves unconditional security, which raises concerns about the trustworthiness of 6G wireless systems in order to mitigate the gap between practice and theory. The long-distance satellite-to-ground evolving quantum network distributes keys that are ubiquitous to the node on the ground through low-orbit satellites. As the secret key sequence is encoded into quantum states, it is sent through the atmosphere via a quantum channel. It still requires more effort in the physical layer design of deployment ranges, transmission, and security to achieve high-quality quantum communication. In this paper, we first review the quantum states and channel properties for satellite-based quantum networks and long-range quantum state transfer (QST). Moreover, we highlight some challenges, such as transmissivity statistics, estimation of channel parameters and attack resilience, quantum state transfer for satellite-based quantum networks, and wavepacket shaping techniques over atmospheric channels. We underline two research directions that consider the QST and wavepacket shaping techniques for atmospheric transmission in order to encourage further research toward the next generation of satellite-based quantum networks.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2308.00011

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The ultra-secure quantum network leverages quantum cryptography to deliver unsurpassed data transfer security. In principle, the well-known quantum key distribution (QKD) achieves unconditional security, which raises concerns about the trustworthiness of 6G wireless systems in order to mitigate the gap between practice and theory. The long-distance satellite-to-ground evolving quantum network distributes keys that are ubiquitous to the node on the ground through low-orbit satellites. As the secret key sequence is encoded into quantum states, it is sent through the atmosphere via a quantum channel. It still requires more effort in the physical layer design of deployment ranges, transmission, and security to achieve high-quality quantum communication. In this paper, we first review the quantum states and channel properties for satellite-based quantum networks and long-range quantum state transfer (QST). Moreover, we highlight some challenges, such as transmissivity statistics, estimation of channel parameters and attack resilience, quantum state transfer for satellite-based quantum networks, and wavepacket shaping techniques over atmospheric channels. We underline two research directions that consider the QST and wavepacket shaping techniques for atmospheric transmission in order to encourage further research toward the next generation of satellite-based quantum networks.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a cryptographic method enabling two parties to establish a private encryption key. The range of communication of ground-based QKD is limited to an order of 100km, due to in-fibre attenuations and atmospheric losses, and the development of quantum repeaters remains technologically challenging. While trusted-node links make communication over large distances possible, satellite-QKD is required for communication over global distances. By using satellites equipped with high-quality optical links, satellite-QKD can achieve ultra-long-distance quantum communication in the 1000-km range. The significant potential of satellite-QKD for the creation of global quantum networks thus makes it a particularly interesting field of research. In this analysis, we begin with an overview of the technical parameters of performing satellite-QKD, including infrastructure and protocols. We continue with a high-level summary of advancements in satellite-QKD by analysing past, present and proposed satellite-QKD missions and initiatives around the world. We conclude by discussing the technical challenges currently faced in satellite-QKD, which can be tackled through future research in this area.
Abstract The increasing demand for secure communications in mobile and critical infrastructure networks has led to the emergence of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) as a promising technique for enhancing cryptographic security in next-generation systems. This paper reviews recent progress in integrating QKD within mobile and wireless networks. It focuses on key enabling technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN), satellite-based, and aerial networks. The paper critically analyzes how these frameworks can address evolving security requirements in sixth-generation (6G) networks and smart city infrastructures. Additionally, it examines the role of Machine Learning (ML) in improving QKD performance and adaptability. Challenges such as key management, mobility support, scalability, and interoperability are explored. These challenges help identify current barriers and research directions. By consolidating developments and highlighting unresolved issues, this study offers researchers valuable insights. It discusses the convergence of quantum communication and advanced mobile architectures, facilitating the design of secure and resilient future communication infrastructures.
With the rapid advancement of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, ensuring the security of satellite-to-ground communication has become a critical concern. Traditional cryptographic techniques, while effective against classical attacks, face increasing threats from quantum computing. This paper proposes a quantum key secure transmission method tailored for LEO satellite-ground communication scenarios. The method integrates quantum key distribution (QKD) with dynamic channel estimation and orbital mobility prediction to support secure and low-latency key handshakes between satellites and ground stations. A hybrid encryption strategy is introduced, where QKD-generated keys are used to refresh symmetric session keys in real time, significantly enhancing resistance to eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method ensures stable key distribution under Doppler-shifted and intermittent link conditions, achieving improved secrecy capacity and resilience against quantum-level adversaries. This work provides a viable and scalable quantum-safe communication solution for future secure satellite networks.
Quantum cryptography is an emerging technology in which two parties may simultaneously generate shared, secret cryptographic key material using the transmission of quantum states of light. The security of these transmissions is based on the inviolability of the laws of quantum mechanics and information-theoretically secure post-processing methods. An adversary can neither successfully tap the quantum transmissions, nor evade detection, owing to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. In this paper we describe the theory of quantum cryptography, and recent results from our experimental free-space system with which we have demonstrated the feasibility of quantum key generation over a point-to-point outdoor atmospheric path in daylight. We achieved a transmission distance of 0.5 km, which was limited only by the length of the test range. Our results provide strong evidence that cryptographic key material could be generated on demand between a ground station and a satellite (or between two satellites), allowing a satellite to be securely re-keyed on orbit for encrypting the uplinked command path and downlinked data path; or to distribute keys between widely-separated ground stations with a satellite relay, enabling encrypted communications over even inter-continental distances. We present a feasibility analysis of surface-to-satellite quantum key generation.
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and their applications. Furthermore, there is a growing impetus to integrate IoT networks on a global scale, using satellites to expand the range of IoT connectivity into geographically remote areas. Ensuring the security of satellite backhaul for IoT networks is thus of paramount importance. The steady advance of quantum computing in recent years threatens to nullify classical cryptographic approaches based on assumptions of computational hardness, motivating the need for post-quantum cryptography. Quantum computing algorithms have been developed that, once a quantum computer of sufficient scale is realised, will be able to break classical cryptosystems efficiently (at polynomial-time complexity). A promising method of securing information against this threat at the physical layer has emerged in the form of quantum key distribution (QKD). QKD exploits the fundamental physical properties of light to guarantee information-theoretic security. Research into the application and standardisation of QKD to secure satellite backhaul, however, is still in its infancy. This paper presents a brief overview of the theoretical basis for QKD, whilst also providing a survey of contemporary QKD protocols. It evaluates the ability of these protocols to secure satellite backhaul in the context of a typical satellite-IoT network architecture. Furthermore, it highlights the vulnerabilities, as well as the technical challenges associated with this endeavour. Finally, it proposes directions for future research and development into protocols and standardisation for the satellite-integrated IoT domain. Several challenges must be overcome before QKD can evolve into a global-scale solution for securing satellite-IoT. Secret key generation rate remains very low in practical demonstrations of trusted-relay QKD satellite architectures. Further research is needed to overcome or mitigate the fundamental rate-distance trade-off before satellite QKD can be considered practicable in an IoT application. Alternatives that do not rely on trusted nodes are contingent on nascent technologies such as quantum repeaters and quantum memory. Whilst in theory QKD provides perfect information-theoretic security, it remains vulnerable to attacks that exploit imperfections in real-world equipment. Further effort is needed to develop QKD protocols that can safeguard against the aforementioned challenges.
In quantum key distribution (QKD) single-photon transmissions generate the shared, secret random number sequences, known as cryptographic keys that are used to encrypt and decrypt secret communications. Because the security of QKD is based on principles of quantum physics an adversary can neither successfully tap the key transmissions, nor evade detection (eavesdropping raises the key error rate above a threshold value). We have developed an experimental QKD system that uses the four-state BB84 protocol with non-orthogonal photon polarization states and lowest-order adaptive optics to generate shared key material over multi-kilometer atmospheric, line-of-sight paths. I will present results of a daylight demonstration of this system. Key material is built up using the transmission of a photon-pulse per bit of an initial secret random sequence. I will describe the design and operation of the system, present an analysis of the system's security, efficiency, error rate, and secret key rate, as well as cryptographic testing of the key bits produced. I will describe the prospects for longer-distance applications of free-space QKD, particularly for satellite communications.