Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Development of Optical Ground Station System: Experimental Results of Polarization Characteristics Measurements through Satellite-to-Ground Propagation Paths toward Satellite Quantum Key Distribution

守生 豊嶋, 秀樹 竹中, 洋三 荘司, 佳久 高山, 善貞 小山, 裕生 國森, Morio Toyoshima, Hideki Takenaka, Yozo Shoji, Yoshihisa Takayama, Yoshisada Koyama, Hiroo Kunimori

Published Oct 18, 2012• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Related papers

Polarization measurements through space-to-ground atmospheric propagation paths by using a highly polarized laser source in space

Morio Toyoshima, Hideki Takenaka, Yozo Shoji +3 more

The polarization characteristics of an artificial laser source in space were measured through space-to-ground atmospheric transmission paths. An existing Japanese laser communication satellite and optical ground station were used to measure Stokes parameters and the degree of polarization of the laser beam transmitted from the satellite. As a result, the polarization was preserved within an rms error of 1.6 degrees, and the degree of polarization was 99.4+/-4.4% through the space-to-ground atmosphere. These results contribute to the link estimation for quantum key distribution via space and provide the potential for enhancements in quantum cryptography worldwide in the future.

Optics Express•Nov 23, 2009•103 citations

Experimental validation of dynamic polarization compensation in ground-satellite quantum key distribution

Chao-Ze Wang, Hui Guo, Ji-Gang Ren +3 more

Science China Physics Mechanics and Astronomy•Apr 22, 2014•14 citations

Verification Plan of Basic Quantum Key Distribution Experiments by Using a Small Satellite

Morio Toyoshima, Takashi Sasaki, Hideki Takenaka +4 more

Space communications by lightwave have various advantages such as smaller and lighter equipment, higher data rate, larger communication capacity, and limited risk of interference with other optical communication systems. Many organizations in the world have been researching and developing the optical space communications technologies for space infrastructures to support various space activities. At the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) in Koganei, Japan, a laser communication demonstration between the NICT optical ground station and a low earth orbit satellite was successfully conducted in 2006 to 2009. The polarization characteristics of an artificial laser source in space were measured through space-to-ground atmospheric transmission paths. Stokes parameters and the degree of polarization of the laser beam transmitted from the satellite were measured. These results contribute to the link estimation for quantum key distribution (QKD) via space and provide the potential for enhancements in QKD worldwide in the future. After this experiment, NICT has begun to develop a Small Optical TrAnsponder (SOTA) onboard a small satellite, which project is called the Space Optical Communications Research Advanced TEchnology Satellite (SOCRATES). In this mission, basic QKD experiments are planned. In this paper, the result of the field experiment between two buildings and the verification plan of basic QKD experiments is presented.

TRANSACTIONS OF THE JAPAN SOCIETY FOR AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE SCIENCES AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY JAPAN•Jan 1, 2012•1 citation

Research on polarization compensation for practical satellite-based quantum key distribution

Wenbin Luo, Yang Li, Yuhuai Li +8 more

Optics Communications•Jul 30, 2024•8 citations

Direct and full-scale experimental verifications towards ground–satellite quantum key distribution

Jianyu Wang, Bin Yang, Sheng‐Kai Liao +21 more

arXiv:1210.7556•Nature Photonics•Apr 19, 2013•308 citations

Preliminary results of optical downlink between QUBE satellite to the upgraded Optical Ground Station Oberpfaffenhofen - experiments towards quantum key distribution

Johannes Prell, Shrestha Amita, Benjamin Rödiger +6 more

Laser communication technology, especially QKD (Quantum Key Distribution), is coming more and more into practical operations. It is a maturing technology that enables the distribution of cryptographic key between two remote parties [1][3] for secure communication even in presence of quantum computers[3]. To demonstrate this technology DLR is part of the QUBE project to have a precursor mission for QKD from CubeSats in orbit as well as hosting and operating the ground-based counterpart the Optical Ground Station Oberpfaffenhofen (OGSOP).The OGS is equipped with an 80cm primary mirror, a Coudé path with optical bench, adaptive optics system, fiber coupling and a single photon detector. The ground station already performed successful downlinks from low Earth orbit (LEO) (Flying Laptop, CubeL and others) and geostationary platforms (Alphasat, Project BayernQSat), as well as aircrafts (Project QuNET) [4][11][13].In the last year the ground station was upgraded from its basic configuration to adapt for multi-mission support and QKD experiments. Several features were integrated and upgraded at the telescope, in the Coudé path and on the optical bench. The focus of the upgrades was to connect the OGSOP (Optical Ground Station Oberpfaffenhofen) with the satellite QUBE. The target of compatibility could be achieved and improved from OGS side.Knowledge from ground-to-ground-tests were considered to rebuild the receiving setups in an improved and more operational way. The QUBE satellite contains an optical terminal designed and developed by DLR to transmit two experimental quantum signals over the optical link. These sources were developed by the Ludwig-Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich and the Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) in Erlangen.On May the 2nd 2025 the OGSOP was able to catch the first light from QUBE and establish a link between both sides[2]. This started the optical communication commissioning phase of the satellite, including the classical communication terminal and the quantum light sources. This paper describes the entire setup, from satellite to ground detector, and presents the key achievements so far.

IEEE International Conference on Space Optical Systems and Applications (ICSOS)•Oct 28, 2025•0 citations
The polarization characteristics of an artificial laser source in space were measured through space-to-ground atmospheric transmission paths. An existing Japanese laser communication satellite and optical ground station were used to measure Stokes parameters and the degree of polarization of the laser beam transmitted from the satellite. As a result, the polarization was preserved within an rms error of 1.6 degrees, and the degree of polarization was 99.4+/-4.4% through the space-to-ground atmosphere. These results contribute to the link estimation for quantum key distribution via space and provide the potential for enhancements in quantum cryptography worldwide in the future.
Space communications by lightwave have various advantages such as smaller and lighter equipment, higher data rate, larger communication capacity, and limited risk of interference with other optical communication systems. Many organizations in the world have been researching and developing the optical space communications technologies for space infrastructures to support various space activities. At the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) in Koganei, Japan, a laser communication demonstration between the NICT optical ground station and a low earth orbit satellite was successfully conducted in 2006 to 2009. The polarization characteristics of an artificial laser source in space were measured through space-to-ground atmospheric transmission paths. Stokes parameters and the degree of polarization of the laser beam transmitted from the satellite were measured. These results contribute to the link estimation for quantum key distribution (QKD) via space and provide the potential for enhancements in QKD worldwide in the future. After this experiment, NICT has begun to develop a Small Optical TrAnsponder (SOTA) onboard a small satellite, which project is called the Space Optical Communications Research Advanced TEchnology Satellite (SOCRATES). In this mission, basic QKD experiments are planned. In this paper, the result of the field experiment between two buildings and the verification plan of basic QKD experiments is presented.
Laser communication technology, especially QKD (Quantum Key Distribution), is coming more and more into practical operations. It is a maturing technology that enables the distribution of cryptographic key between two remote parties [1][3] for secure communication even in presence of quantum computers[3]. To demonstrate this technology DLR is part of the QUBE project to have a precursor mission for QKD from CubeSats in orbit as well as hosting and operating the ground-based counterpart the Optical Ground Station Oberpfaffenhofen (OGSOP).The OGS is equipped with an 80cm primary mirror, a Coudé path with optical bench, adaptive optics system, fiber coupling and a single photon detector. The ground station already performed successful downlinks from low Earth orbit (LEO) (Flying Laptop, CubeL and others) and geostationary platforms (Alphasat, Project BayernQSat), as well as aircrafts (Project QuNET) [4][11][13].In the last year the ground station was upgraded from its basic configuration to adapt for multi-mission support and QKD experiments. Several features were integrated and upgraded at the telescope, in the Coudé path and on the optical bench. The focus of the upgrades was to connect the OGSOP (Optical Ground Station Oberpfaffenhofen) with the satellite QUBE. The target of compatibility could be achieved and improved from OGS side.Knowledge from ground-to-ground-tests were considered to rebuild the receiving setups in an improved and more operational way. The QUBE satellite contains an optical terminal designed and developed by DLR to transmit two experimental quantum signals over the optical link. These sources were developed by the Ludwig-Maximilian University (LMU) of Munich and the Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) in Erlangen.On May the 2nd 2025 the OGSOP was able to catch the first light from QUBE and establish a link between both sides[2]. This started the optical communication commissioning phase of the satellite, including the classical communication terminal and the quantum light sources. This paper describes the entire setup, from satellite to ground detector, and presents the key achievements so far.