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Opto-Electronics and Communications Conference (OECC)

Adaptive Quantum Key Distribution for Ultra-Long-Distance Secure Services Based on Satellite Networks

Xinyi He, Lin Li, Yongli Zhao, Yuan Cao, Xiaosong Yu, Jie Zhang

Published Jul 2, 2023• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Targeting the secret-key provision mismatch with the security requirements of ultra-long-distance services, this paper designs an adaptive quantum key distribution scheme based on satellite networks, improving more than 23% of service success probability compared to the benchmark.
DOI
10.1109/oecc56963.2023.10209736

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In recent years, quantum-based communication is emerging as a new technique for ensuring secured communications because it can guarantee absolute security between two different remote entities. Quantum communication performs the transmission and exchange of quantum information among distant nodes within a network. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a methodology for generating and distributing random encryption keys using the principles of quantum physics. In this paper, we investigate the techniques on how to efficiently use QKD in 3D satellite networks and propose an effective method to overcome its communications-distance limitations. In order to implement secured and reliable communications over wireless satellite links, we develop a free-space quantum channel model in satellite communication networks. To enlarge the communications distances over 3D satellite networks, we propose to employ the intermediate nodes to relay the unconditional keys and guarantee the Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) for security requirement over 3D satellite networks. We also propose the communication model for QKD security-Quality of Service (QoS) guarantee and an adaptive cooperative routing selection scheme to optimize the throughput performance of QKD-based satellite communications networks. The obtained simulation results verify our proposed schemes.
Quantum cryptography is one of the most promising technologies for guaranteeing the absolute security in communications over various advanced networks, including fiber networks and wireless networks. In particular, quantum key distribution is an efficient encryption scheme on implementing secure satellite communications between satellites and ground stations. However, it faces many new challenges such as high attenuation and low polarization-preserving capability or extreme sensitivity to the environment. In order to guarantee the quality of service (QoS) provisioning of quantum communications over 3D satellite networks, we need to focus on the security problem and throughput efficiency through correcting the errors resulted from the objective and adversary influences. To overcome these problems, we model the noisy quantum channel and implement an efficient quantum error correction scheme to ensure the security and increase the quantum throughput efficiency in QKD-based satellite networks. The simulation results obtained show that our proposed efficient QEC scheme for QoS guarantee outperforms the other existing quantum error correction schemes in terms of security and the quantum throughput efficiency.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) has attracted much attention on secure communications across global networks. QKD over satellite networks can overcome the limitations of terrestrial optical networks, such as large attenuation over long distance fiber channel and difficulty of intercontinental domain communications. Different QKD networks (around the world) can intercommunicate through quantum satellites, leading to a global quantum network in near future. This raises a new resource allocation and management problem of QKD involving multiple satellite layers and distributed ground stations. Using existing schemes, a single satellite cannot perform QKD for ground stations for the whole day. Moreover, the research problem is more challenging due to limitations of satellite coverage: limited cover time of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, high channel losses of geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, etc. To overcome these limitations, our study proposes a double-layer quantum satellite network (QSN) implemented quantum key pool (QKP) to relay keys for ground stations. We propose a new architecture of trusted-repeater-based double-layer quantum satellite networks, comprising GEO and LEO satellites. We also address the routing and key allocation (RKA) problem for key-relay services over QSNs. We propose a novel joint GEO-LEO routing and key allocation (JGL-RKA) algorithm to solve the RKA problem. Simulative results show that the proposed scheme can increase success probability of key-relay services significantly. We also present the impact of different route selections mechanisms, number of satellite links, satellite node capability, and service granularity on network performance.
Quantum key distribution (QKD), the technology to generate distant secure keys for later usage in secure communication, has become a mature topic since the 1980s. While terrestrial QKD over fiber networks is suitable for short-distance urban networks, QKD via satellites promises to gap the distance requirement on a global scale that limits terrestrial QKD. Satellite QKD requires the exchange of quantum states between a satellite and multiple ground stations. The goal is then to facilitate shared secret keys between the ground stations, which can then be relayed to users near the ground stations. The satellite usually carries the quantum sources as its payload and sends them to the ground station via a downlink. The QKD protocol is heavily influenced by the choice of the quantum source, with typically one of two types: approximate single photon source (such as a weak laser) or an entangled source. Similarly, the ground station must be equipped to receive, measure and process the quantum signals sent by the satellite. Although there are also reverse schemes, where the satellite acts as the receiver and the ground station as the sender, these schemes are less explored due to higher noise in the uplink and less engineering experience. As with any system containing a high heterogeneity, many different implementation schemes lead to a variety of optimized use cases based on different criteria. Satellite QKD carries the further complication that it must be adapted to international standards. In this paper we present different satellite and ground station architectures that lean on the developments in the projects EAGLE-1, QUBE, QuNET, RoGloQuaN, addressing different protocols, sources, satellite sizes and telescope sizes. We also discuss the need for agility and configuration of components in a heterogeneous environment.