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International Conference on Telecommunications (ConTEL)

Simulation of quantum key distribution with noisy channels

Attila Pereszlényi

Published Jan 1, 2005• 11 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper secure schemes for cryptographic key distribution - called quantum key distribution protocols - are investigated by means of computer simulation. For this, a general purpose quantum circuit designer and simulator program was developed and used. To be more realistic the protocols were ran on different noisy quantum channels. The aim is to determine the grade of security of the protocols in function of the channel parameters they are using; and also to propose a method for selecting the best protocol for a given channel.

DOI
10.1109/contel.2005.185853

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In this paper secure schemes for cryptographic key distribution - called quantum key distribution protocols - are investigated by means of computer simulation. For this, a general purpose quantum circuit designer and simulator program was developed and used. To be more realistic the protocols were ran on different noisy quantum channels. The aim is to determine the grade of security of the protocols in function of the channel parameters they are using; and also to propose a method for selecting the best protocol for a given channel.
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.
Currently many symmetric key cryptographic tools which are known to be quantum-safe. They all share Secret symmetric keys through an untrusted medium which is usually done with public key methods which are prone to quantum attacks. One among the recommended solutions to the key distribution problem is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). QKD utilizes an authenticated Communication channel along with a quantum communication channel so that a secret key is generated. Whatever may be the protocol to implement proposed QKD, they all need both a quantum channel, and an authenticated classical. OTP (One Time Pad) is used when two parties wish to communications have to share a key called pad. This pad is a randomly generated key and the length of the key should be equal to the message so it can be sent. The proposed QKD parameters that result in almost 35.67% smaller keys for quantum security and an implementation of QKD in network which is publicly available and usable in practice.
The purpose of quantum key-distribution is for two or more correspondents, who share no secret information initially, to agree on random keys, which remain secret against attacks from more powerful analytic or computational tools. Quantum cryptography protocols can be designed to offer guaranteed security services in optical communication networks. The paper briefly outlines a general procedure for modeling and simulation of quantum key distribution protocols in multiple-access networks. Each communication network model is assumed to be composed of communication nodes (stations) that are connected by links. There are three basic communication node models, which are quantum transmission (QT), quantum reception (QR), and quantum transmission reception (QTR) nodes. In the models, fiber optic channels (links) are assumed to be used for connecting communication nodes.
This paper presents a method of cryptographic key distribution using an `artificially' noisy channel. This is an important development because, while it is known that a noisy channel can be used to generate unconditional secrecy, there are many circumstances in which it is not possible to have a noisy information exchange, such as in error corrected communication stacks. It is shown that two legitimate parties can simulate a noisy channel by adding local noise onto the communication and that the simulated channel has a secrecy capacity even if the underlying channel does not. A derivation of the secrecy conditions is presented along with numerical simulations of the channel function to show that key exchange is feasible.
With the quantum computational paradigm rapidly developing across the world, new vulnerabilities on currently deployed cryptography protocols are to be taken in consideration. A possible answer to said vulnerabilities is using quantum technologies on cryptography. For a quantum-assisted cryptography protocol, key pairs can be generated via quantum state measurements. This protocol is known as quantum key distribution, of extended use for providing security against any algorithm-based attack to the keys. Ensured the key protection against eavesdroppers, a QKD-assisted protocol can focus its security analysis on party behaviour. Depending on the protocol rules and steps to follow, users can attempt attacks on it with the purpose of causing disagreement or misunderstanding between parties. In this work, we present a simulation environment for a hybrid, quantum-assisted digital signature (QDS) protocol. The configurations available for the simulated network as well as the digital signature protocol make it possible to design specific communication scenarios, such as attacks on the message integrity, forging and repudiation attempts or noisy communication across the quantum channels.
Cryptography is the process of converting information from readable to unreadable form in the world of computer security. However, there are still flaws at the cryptographic, channel, or implementation levels that need the creation or adoption of new and more robust security measures. The purpose of this study is to offer an efficient method for secure communication based on polynomial interpolation. Quantum cryptography ensures secure communication between authentic users by utilising the basic laws of quantum physics. One of the applications of quantum cryptography is quantum key distribution technology. The key used in the present protocol for secure communication is distinguished from the key created using the polynomial for the Quantum key distribution protocol. These two scenarios are performed on the QISKIT simulator, and their outcomes are assessed in a probabilistic manner. Furthermore, the presence and absence of eavesdropping in the channel are analysed. An environmental error, such as increased noise, may affect experiment performance.