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Compressive sensing based parameter estimation for free-space continuous-variable quantum key distribution

Feng Jing, Xiaowen Liu, Xingyu Wang, Yijie Lu, Tianyi Wu, Kai Li, Chen Dong

Published Feb 10, 2022• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In satellite-based free-space continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD), the parameter estimation for the atmospheric channel fluctuations due to the turbulence effects and attenuation is crucial for analyzing and improving the protocol performance. However, the partial key data usually need to be sacrificed for the parameter estimation leading to the secret key reduction and the possible information leakage, especially when the channel is varying. In this paper, compressive sensing (CS) theory is applied to free-space CV-QKD to achieve the channel parameter estimation with small amount of key data sacrifice and low computational complexity. According to CS theory, the possibility of the sparse representation for free-space channel is analyzed and the two types of sparse reconstruction models for the channel parameters are constructed combining with the stability of the sub-channels. The most part of key data for parameter estimation is saved by using the model constructed by the variables in the quantum signals, while all the key data can be saved and be used to generate the secret key by using the model constructed by the second-order statistics of the variables. Thus, the methods can generate more secret key, improve the secret key rate, and be well adapted for the cases with the limited communication time since fewer or no key data (variables) is sacrificed for parameter estimation. Finally, simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.

DOI
10.1364/oe.447526

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In satellite-based free-space continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD), the parameter estimation for the atmospheric channel fluctuations due to the turbulence effects and attenuation is crucial for analyzing and improving the protocol performance. However, the partial key data usually need to be sacrificed for the parameter estimation leading to the secret key reduction and the possible information leakage, especially when the channel is varying. In this paper, compressive sensing (CS) theory is applied to free-space CV-QKD to achieve the channel parameter estimation with small amount of key data sacrifice and low computational complexity. According to CS theory, the possibility of the sparse representation for free-space channel is analyzed and the two types of sparse reconstruction models for the channel parameters are constructed combining with the stability of the sub-channels. The most part of key data for parameter estimation is saved by using the model constructed by the variables in the quantum signals, while all the key data can be saved and be used to generate the secret key by using the model constructed by the second-order statistics of the variables. Thus, the methods can generate more secret key, improve the secret key rate, and be well adapted for the cases with the limited communication time since fewer or no key data (variables) is sacrificed for parameter estimation. Finally, simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
In satellite-based free-space continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD), the parameter estimation for the atmospheric channel fluctuations due to the turbulence effects and attenuation is crucial for analyzing and improving the protocol performance. In this paper, compressive sensing (CS) theory is applied to free-space CV-QKD to achieve the channel parameter estimation with low computational complexity and small amount of data. According to CS theory, the possibility of the sparse representation for free-space channel is analyzed and the two types of sparse reconstruction models for the channel parameters are constructed combining with the stability of the sub-channels. The most part of variable for parameter estimation is saved by using the model relying on the variables in the quantum signals, while all the variables can be used to generate the secret key by using the model relying on the second-order statistics of the variables. The methods are well adapted for the cases with the limited communication time since a little or no variable is sacrificed for parameter estimation. Finally, simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
This paper deals with a channel-parameter estimation for continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) over a satellite-to-submarine link. In particular, we focus on the channel transmittances and the excess noise which are affected by atmospheric turbulence, surface roughness, zenith angle of the satellite, wind speed, submarine depth, etc. The estimation method is based on proposed algorithms and is applied to low-Earth orbits using the Monte Carlo approach. For light at 550 nm with a repetition frequency of 1 MHz, the effects of the estimated parameters on the performance of the CV-QKD system are assessed by a simulation by comparing the secret key bit rate in the daytime and at night. Our results show the feasibility of satellite-to-submarine CV-QKD, providing an unconditionally secure approach to achieve global networks for underwater communications.
Abstract Driven by the necessitates of wide-area quantum secure communication networks, ground-to-satellite quantum key distribution (QKD) has been highlighted in the field of quantum information. Continuous variable QKD (CV-QKD) shows the advantages of a high secure key rate generation and compatibility in the fiber channel, but the communication range is limited by low attenuation tolerance. In this study, the feasibility of the uplink CV-QKD for Very Low Earth Orbit satellite is studied, and the influence of practical factors such as atmospheric turbulence and beam pointing errors under dynamic time-varying satellite orbital parameters is analyzed to model realistic transmission channels. A parameter optimization scheme for orbital parameters, spot size, receiving telescope aperture, and modulation variance has been proposed to enhance the performance of the actual uplink CV-QKD, providing a reference for parameter selection in CV-QKD experiments.
Continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) has emerged as a promising candidate for quantum-secure communication due to its experimentally demonstrated high key rates in fiber-optic channels. However, the feasibility of discrete modulation CV-QKD in satellite-to-ground downlinks remains an open question due to practical challenges such as high transmission loss, limited communication windows, and atmospheric turbulence. In this work, a comprehensive framework is proposed to evaluate the feasibility of discrete modulation CV-QKD by integrating orbital dynamics and atmospheric channel models, and to comprehensively analyze the influence of the parameter space on free-space discrete modulation CV-QKD. To achieve this, a free-space CV-QKD simulation platform is employed, which calculates the elevation angle and transmission distance based on precise orbital models, thereby providing a more practical assessment of the key rate for discrete modulation CV-QKD. Simulation results verify the feasibility and practicality of discrete modulation CV-QKD in satellite-based quantum communication systems. Furthermore, the critical factors influencing the key rate performance are identified, and parameter optimization strategies are proposed, providing theoretical support for realizing the future satellite-to-ground discrete modulation CV-QKD.
The effectiveness and accuracy of parameter estimation are guarantees for the high-performance and high-safety operation of practical continuous-variable quantum key distribution systems. A scheme based on Bayesian estimation is proposed to tackle the fluctuations of channels. In free-space channel, the Bayesian random-effects model is employed to construct complete prior information, and the channel state information extracted through pilot signals is applied to rectify the prior information. Compressed sensing technology is applied due to the sparsity of the free-space channel to reduce the cost of the system. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme has higher estimation accuracy under the free space, and the system performance is also enhanced. Moreover, the results under fiber show higher estimation accuracy and better stability than that of traditional methods. In conclusion, the scheme can create practical conditions for the construction of future global quantum networks.
In principle, the number of orbital angular momentum (OAM) eigenstates is unbounded; therefore, OAM multiplexing could greatly increase the transmission rate. Compared with optical fibers, free-space channels fluctuate randomly over time due to the effects of atmospheric turbulence. Free-space channel estimation is necessary. Here, we study the channel parameter estimation of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) based on OAM, especially the influence of atmospheric turbulence on transmittance and excess noise. By comparing the secret key rate in the case of single link and multiplexing, the impact of the estimated parameters on the performance of the CVQKD system is evaluated. Simulation results show that the value of the estimated parameter will affect the secret key rate.