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Optics Continuum

Long distance QKD propagation using optical single sideband scheme

Bandana Mallick, Priyadarsan Parida, Chittaranjan Nayak, Bibhu Prasad, Gopinath Palai, Amit Kumar Goyal, Yehia Massoud

Published Feb 26, 2024• 10 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Implementation of the passive radio over-fiber technique permits modulating the low-frequency sub-carrier onto an optical channel for dissemination through a light-wave fiber network. Single-sideband modulation for optical signals allows the impressive utilization of channel capacity in optical fiber. Dispersion reduction techniques limit the pulse spreading of a propagated signal in any photonic scheme. To control pulse-spreading effects, the optical single-sideband modulation technique at different phase shifts is modeled, analyzed, and compared to examine the performance of a sub-carrier multiplexing system. Hence, in this paper, a quantum key distribution network using a single sideband modulation technique based on a Li-Nb Mach-Zehnder modulator has been proposed at different electrical phase shifts. In this suggested model, the Optisystem 14.2 simulator is used to analyze the nonlinear characteristics. We have designed a single-sideband contour reduction and amplification with each couplet of 120 km by increasing the distance up to 720 km, and the phase between quantum states is determined. The system performance of the suggested model is investigated and compared based on output power (dBm), quality factor, eye diagram, bit error rate (BER), extinction ratio (ER), and optical spectrum of the received signal by varying link distance (km), channel spacing (nm), input power (dBm), and fiber dispersion (ps/ns/km).

DOI
10.1364/optcon.507484

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Implementation of the passive radio over-fiber technique permits modulating the low-frequency sub-carrier onto an optical channel for dissemination through a light-wave fiber network. Single-sideband modulation for optical signals allows the impressive utilization of channel capacity in optical fiber. Dispersion reduction techniques limit the pulse spreading of a propagated signal in any photonic scheme. To control pulse-spreading effects, the optical single-sideband modulation technique at different phase shifts is modeled, analyzed, and compared to examine the performance of a sub-carrier multiplexing system. Hence, in this paper, a quantum key distribution network using a single sideband modulation technique based on a Li-Nb Mach-Zehnder modulator has been proposed at different electrical phase shifts. In this suggested model, the Optisystem 14.2 simulator is used to analyze the nonlinear characteristics. We have designed a single-sideband contour reduction and amplification with each couplet of 120 km by increasing the distance up to 720 km, and the phase between quantum states is determined. The system performance of the suggested model is investigated and compared based on output power (dBm), quality factor, eye diagram, bit error rate (BER), extinction ratio (ER), and optical spectrum of the received signal by varying link distance (km), channel spacing (nm), input power (dBm), and fiber dispersion (ps/ns/km).
This paper provides an in-depth theoretical analysis of subcarrier multiplexed quantum key distribution (SCM-QKD) systems, taking into account as many factors of impairment as possible and especially considering the influence of nonlinear signal mixing on the end-to-end quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the useful key rate. A detailed analysis of SCM-QKD is performed considering the different factors affecting the sideband visibility (drifts in the modulator bias points, modulation index mismatch between Alice and Bob subcarriers) and the impact of nonlinear signal mixing leaking into otherwise void subcarrier sidebands. In a similar way to classical photonic radio-over-fiber telecommunication and cable TV systems, the impact of this nonlinear signal mixing can be accounted in terms of a quantum carrier to noise ratio that depends on the specific frequency plan that is implemented. QBER and useful key rate results for three different frequency plans featuringNNN$=15(low−countchannelsystem),15 (low-count channel system),15(low−countchannelsystem),N$$=$30 (intermediate-count channel system), and$N$$=50(high−countchannelsystem)channelsareprovided,showingthatphotonnonlinearmixingcanbeofimportanceinmiddle−andhigh−countSCM−QKDsystems(50 (high-count channel system) channels are provided, showing that photon nonlinear mixing can be of importance in middle- and high-count SCM-QKD systems (50(high−countchannelsystem)channelsareprovided,showingthatphotonnonlinearmixingcanbeofimportanceinmiddle−andhigh−countSCM−QKDsystems(N≫30),withmoderateRFmodulationindexes(≫ 30), with moderate RF modulation indexes (≫30),withmoderateRFmodulationindexes(m≫5≫ 5%). In practical terms, nonlinear signal mixing can be neglected if low modulation indexes (≫5m$≪ 2%) are employed to encode the photons in the subcarrier sidebands.
Abstract With increasing demands for secure high-speed wireless communications, integration of quantum key distribution (QKD) into light fidelity (LiFi) systems is a promising method for boosting data confidentiality in optical wireless networks. The BB84 protocol and Mach–Zehnder modulator (MZM) are utilized with a pump-assisted continuous wave laser at 1,550 nm and polarization control components to encode quantum states onto photons. They are transmitted on free space optical (FSO) links with a length ranging from 2 km to 8 km and received using Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) and optical filters. Performance analysis conducted using bit error rate (BER) and Q-factor analysis. BER maintained at zero across all tested configuration and transmission distance up to 8 km indicating excellent signal integrity and security. A highest Q-factor achieved a maximum of 3,055.9, which ensures signal integrity and low interference noise. The system operates at a simulated data rate of 10 Gbps, suitable for high speed optical wireless communication. Consistently high eye height (∼172,210 units) and stable decision thresholds confirm minimal inter-symbol interference and accurate symbol recognition. And the Poincaré sphere showed even polarization stability for different optical power levels. This work presents a simulation-based implementation of a polarization encoded QKD system over a LiFi-enabled FSO communication channel, aiming to enhance secure optical wireless communication. Calculated based on quantum bit error rate (QBER) and included in the theoretical analysis to demonstrate practical secure throughput.
Phase encoding in quantum key distribution (QKD) enables long-distance information-theoretic secure communication in optical fibers. We present a novel theoretical model characterizing errors from various sources in practical phase encoding-based QKD systems, namely the laser linewidth, detector dark counts, and channel dispersion. This model provides optimized optical pulse parameters and less distortion in pulses, which eliminates system imperfections and leads to a reduced quantum bit error rate (QBER) for practical QKD scenario. This analysis is applicable to various fiber-based phase and time encoding protocols. In particular, we implement this to a differential phase shift (DPS) QKD scheme operating at a 2.5 GHz clock, which produces a secure key rate of 193 bits/s at a fiber length of 265 km and an unprecedented QBER < 1[Formula: see text] up to 225 km length with standard telecom components. We show that by adjusting the quantum efficiency and dark count rates of detectors, proposed system can establish secure keys up to 380 km distance using standard telecom grade fiber with a QBER of 1.48%. Moreover, the system is compatible with existing optical fiber networks and capable of establishing a secure key exchange between two cities 432 km apart using ultra-low-loss (ULL) specialty fiber.
We present a new optical scheme for BB84 protocol quantum key distribution (QKD). The proposed setup consists of a compact all-fiber polarization encoding optical scheme based on LiNbO3 phase modulators, single laser source and two single-photon detectors. Optical scheme consists of standard telecommunication components and is suitable for both fiber and free-space quantum communication channels. Low losses (~2dB) in Bob's device increase both the key generation rate and distance limit. A new technique for solving polarization mode dispersion (PMD) issue in LiNbO3 is implemented, allowing two crystals to neutralize the effect of each other. Several proof-of-concept experiments have been conducted at 10 MHz repetition frequency over 50 km of standard optical fiber under laboratory conditions and over 30 km of urban fiber with high losses (13dB), which is a link within a QKD network. To achieve this, calibration algorithms have been developed, allowing the system to work autonomously and making it promising for practical applications.
The technology of frequency coding in channels of quantum key distribution allows to determine the ground state of photons through the value of the amplitude of its carrier, frequency modulated in phase (PM) or amplitude (AM) by a radio-frequency signal, and the resulting side components. Over the past twenty years, it has been substantially modified and improved. At the same time, in recent works, an expanded understanding of the frequency coding principle is used, in which each photon state is associated not with the phase of the modulating signal at a certain frequency, but with one or more sideband frequencies or the carrier frequency of the photon itself. The known schemes of electro-optical modulation and remodulation are described by the symmetric pairs PM-PM, AM-AM and AM-PM (PM-AM), where the first component determines the modulator type on the Alice side (legal subscriber - transmitter), and the second one on the side of Bob legal subscriber - receiver). It is noted, that the smallest value of QBER is achieved in schemes with a passive definition of one or two basic states of a photon, i.e. without the use of remodulation processes. The formation of a filter system is carried out using fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) or arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG), tuned to the photon carrier or it sideband components. In this paper, we present the results of constructing a universal system of quantum key distribution (QKD) based on the electro-optical AMPM-PMAM scheme, which makes it possible to realize all the above-mentioned schemes and additionally combined version. At the heart of the AMPMPMAM system of the QKD system is the modulation transformation of the photon carrier based on the Il'inMorozov's method and its one- and two-modulator realizations. For the mathematical description of the scheme, the principles of constructing a single-port modulation microwave photonic link of a sequential type and photon modeling of electro-optical modulators were used. The use of the universal scheme will allow using several levels of cryptographic protection, including switching schemes and protocols, with remodulation and only passive detection. In addition, it should be noted the high spectral efficiency of the Il'in-Morozov's modulation conversion, its spectral purity and the stability of the received characteristics of the output radiation when the conversion parameters deviate from the optimal ones. The possibility of reducing the probability of achieving a positive result in PNS attacks by Eva (illegal subscriber) is shown by eliminating the carrier of the signal transmitted via the quantum channel from the structure of the key distribution.
The access network portion of a telecommunications system in the last years demands ever-increasing bandwidth to serve not only residential and commercial customers but also other telecommunications operators, as is the case with back-haul in mobile infrastructure.To achieve this, technologies using fiber optics as a transmission medium are being developed.Passive Optical Network (PON) protocols such as ITU-T G.9804.1 provides new schemes of multiplexing that improve higher speed offered both in the downstream channel (operator to user) and in the upstream channel (user to operator).In some cases a symmetrical optical link is required to support new services, applications and terminals from users side because their profiles and demands has changed in the last decade with new challenges to maintain network parameters within the established contracted values.On the other hand, information security has also been a topic of interest in recent years, so quantum cryptography offers an alternative to increase robustness compared to the mechanisms available in electronic systems that could be vulnerable to the development of quantum computing.Although quantum cryptography protocols were defined in the last century, their application is of interest today, as they can exploit the properties of photons to make it more difficult for an intruder to obtain the private key of an information system that uses optical fiber as a transmission medium.This work shows the computational application of the BB84 quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol on an operating model of a 50G passive optical network, demonstrating both the cryptography performance and network quality parameters such as the bit error rate (BER) and the eye diagram.