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Optical Engineering

Design of Gaussian modulator for continuous-variable quantum key distribution

Xiunan Sun, Hao Liang

Published Dec 29, 2021• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

The continuous-variable quantum key distribution experimental system requires the randomness and speed of a Gaussian modulator. We present the hardware design for a Gaussian random number (GRN) generator based on the Box–Muller method, which can be implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). An external high-speed true random number generator application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is used to this end. The ASIC operates faster and more independently compared with other Gaussian algorithms based on a linear feedback shift register. The trigonometric and logarithmic functions are calculated using the nonuniform piecewise linear approximation. The calculation of the Gaussian random modulus and phase value is realized using this hardware. Compared with an arbitrary waveform generator, the GRN can be uploaded to a computer to estimate the security key rate. Furthermore, the GRN generator accurately provides a Gaussian probability density function that passes the Jarque–Bera inspection and Lilliefors tests. The proposed FPGA-based system is demonstrated to convert eight-channel 320-Mbps uniform random numbers to 40-MHz 16-bit GRN in real time. Finally, the control of the optical module and Gaussian modulation is realized via the FPGA-based outputs of four dual-channel, 16-bit, 1-giga samples per second digital-to-analog converters.

DOI
10.1117/1.oe.61.1.014101

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The continuous-variable quantum key distribution experimental system requires the randomness and speed of a Gaussian modulator. We present the hardware design for a Gaussian random number (GRN) generator based on the Box–Muller method, which can be implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). An external high-speed true random number generator application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is used to this end. The ASIC operates faster and more independently compared with other Gaussian algorithms based on a linear feedback shift register. The trigonometric and logarithmic functions are calculated using the nonuniform piecewise linear approximation. The calculation of the Gaussian random modulus and phase value is realized using this hardware. Compared with an arbitrary waveform generator, the GRN can be uploaded to a computer to estimate the security key rate. Furthermore, the GRN generator accurately provides a Gaussian probability density function that passes the Jarque–Bera inspection and Lilliefors tests. The proposed FPGA-based system is demonstrated to convert eight-channel 320-Mbps uniform random numbers to 40-MHz 16-bit GRN in real time. Finally, the control of the optical module and Gaussian modulation is realized via the FPGA-based outputs of four dual-channel, 16-bit, 1-giga samples per second digital-to-analog converters.
Based on the research of the current situation of continuous variables quantum cryptographic key QCK and in order to guarantee the effect of communication, we aim to build a quantum communication system based on Reverse Reconciliation Protocol. Thus, a good Gaussian Random Number Generator based on FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is proposed in this paper which can run fast and acquire a high throughput per slice. In this paper, Gaussian random number generator is based on the analysis of Box-Muller algorithm. Besides, seeds for Gaussian random number are input by mechanical keyboard which joggles randomly. Implementation results on Altera FPGA show that the proposed hardware design could generate Gaussian random number with period of 232−12^{32}-1232−1. Finally, we get the mean values, variances, maximum deviations and distribution diagrams of the generated Gaussian random numbers(GRN) by importing these data into Matlab. To assess the quality of these generated GRN, we further compare them to these GRN generated by Matlab.
Abstract Quantum key distribution is the process of using quantum communication to establish a shared key between two parties. It has been demonstrated the unconditional security and effective communication of quantum communication system can be guaranteed by an excellent Gaussian random number (GRN) generator with high speed and an extended random period. In this paper, we propose to construct the Gaussian random number generator by using field‐programmable gate array (FPGA), which is able to process large data in high speed. We also compare three algorithms of GRN generation: Box‐Muller algorithm, polarization decision algorithm, and central limit algorithm. We demonstrate that the polarization decision algorithm implemented in FPGA requires less computing resources and also produces a high‐quality GRN through the null hypothesis test.
In quantum cryptography, the Gaussian Random Number(GRN) plays a crucial role. The Box-Muller is exact method for generating Gaussian random numbers but it requires very complex arithmetic operations. The polarization decision method uses less arithmetic operations and less I/O pins. In this paper we have proposed novel floating point architecture to produce Gaussian random numbers(GRN). In this Floating point architecture initially a software approach is followed to obtain for Uniform Random Number(URN) and perform mathematical computation techniques to generate GRN, hence the overall architecture complexity is reduced when compared to fixed polarization decision method. The proposed floating point architecture achieves precision value 0.001 and 30% less in bonded IOBS which results in simplification of routing and enhance the timing performance. The design is implemented and performed using Xilinx on ZC706 FPGA.
Abstract We present a high-speed continuous-variable quantum random number generator (QRNG) based on heterodyne detection of vacuum fluctuations. The scheme follows a source-device-independent security model in which the entropy originates from quantum measurement uncertainty and no model of the source is required; security depends only on the trusted measurement device and the calibrated discretization, and thus remains valid even under adversarial state preparation. The optical field is split by a 90 ∘ optical hybrid and measured by two balanced photodiodes to obtain both quadratures of the vacuum state simultaneously. The analog outputs are digitized using a dual-channel 12-bit analog-to-digital converter operating at a sampling rate of 3.2 GS s −1 per channel, and processed in real time by an field-programmable gate array (FPGA) implementing Toeplitz hashing for randomness extraction. The quantum-to-classical noise ratio was verified through calibrated power spectral density measurements and cross-checked in the time domain, confirming vacuum-noise dominance within the 1.6 GHz detection bandwidth. After extraction, the system achieves a sustained generation rate of R net = 33.92 Gbit s − 1 of uniformly distributed random bits, which pass all NIST and Dieharder statistical tests. The demonstrated platform provides a compact, FPGA-based realization of a practical heterodyne continuous-variable source-independent QRNG suitable for high-rate quantum communication and secure key distribution systems.
Compared with discrete variable quantum key distribution, the Continuous Variable Quantum Key Distribution (CVQKD) system has the advantages of simple equipment, low technical difficulty, and high channel capacity, in addition to unconditional security and detectability for wiretapping. In this paper, the laser light source control system realizes the control and adjustment functions of the photon quantum state, which was encoded with information. In order to generate the synchronous optical pulse signals, the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), multi-channel Digital to Analog Converter (DAC), and micro power Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) were used to control the synchronous optical laser. The control of multiple amplitude modulators and phase modulators is achieved based on the FPGA and high-speed DAC. At present, the electronics performance test of the laser light source control system has been completed, and the results show that the requirements of the CVQKD system index are met.
The Continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) technique is one of the practical uses of quantum information technology. CVQKD system is implemented based on existing optical networks and standard telecommunication technologies. CVQKD can be put into use of the information transmission in city-based areas, within the extent of absolute security and without any restrictions of security. To reduce the experimental system to a commercial prototype, a data acquisition (DAQ) card can be used to replace the DAQ equipment in the laboratory. It can save the cost of the system experiment and commercial application. In this paper, through the high-speed DAQ card, we implement the collection and uploading of the electrical signal, when the light passes through the continuous optical coherent state detector. The whole experiment test system consists of a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) chip, and optical components. This paper provides a method of gain adjustment of the balanced homodyne detector and a way to test the π phase voltage of the optical modulator. The results show that the DAQ card can be used in the development of the CVQKD prototype.