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Proceedings of Tomsk State University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics

Experimental Synchronization of a Quantum Communication System

Anton Pavlovich Pljonkin

Published Jan 1, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The article considers an algorithm for detecting an optical signal pulse during the clock synchronization of a quantum key distribution system. Several methods for synchronizing quantum communication equipment are reviewed and it is shown that the distinctive characteristics are reduced to the values of the probability of correctly detecting a signal time interval containing an optical pulse and the average time of entering synchronization. The scheme of the experimental setup is described and the results of full-scale studies of the autocompensation quantum key distribution system are presented. The results show the parameters of the energy model of the clock synchronization process in the presence of destabilizing factors in the quantum channel. An experiment was conducted to introduce optical couplers with an atmospheric path into the quantum channel. The possibility of diverting part of the optical radiation from the communication channel during clock synchronization is demonstrated, which can be used by an intruder to interfere with the operation of the quantum key distribution system. The possible data leakage channels in the general structure of quantum cryptographic networks are described

DOI
10.21293/1818-0442-2024-27-3-37-41

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The article considers an algorithm for detecting an optical signal pulse during the clock synchronization of a quantum key distribution system. Several methods for synchronizing quantum communication equipment are reviewed and it is shown that the distinctive characteristics are reduced to the values of the probability of correctly detecting a signal time interval containing an optical pulse and the average time of entering synchronization. The scheme of the experimental setup is described and the results of full-scale studies of the autocompensation quantum key distribution system are presented. The results show the parameters of the energy model of the clock synchronization process in the presence of destabilizing factors in the quantum channel. An experiment was conducted to introduce optical couplers with an atmospheric path into the quantum channel. The possibility of diverting part of the optical radiation from the communication channel during clock synchronization is demonstrated, which can be used by an intruder to interfere with the operation of the quantum key distribution system. The possible data leakage channels in the general structure of quantum cryptographic networks are described
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A typical structure of an auto-compensation system for quantum key distribution is given. The principle of operation of a fiber-optic system for the distribution of quantum keys with phase coding of photon states is described. The operation of the system in the synchronization mode and the formation of quantum keys was investigated. The process of detecting a time interval with an optical synchronization pulse is analyzed. The structural scheme of the experimental stand of the quantum-cryptographic network is given. Data are obtained that attest to the presence of a multiphoton signal during the transmission of sync pulses from the transceiver station to the coding and backward direction. The results of experimental studies are presented, which prove the existence of a vulnerability in the process of synchronization of the quantum key distribution system. It is shown that the use of a multiphoton optical pulse as a sync signal makes it possible for an attacker to unauthorized access to a quantum communication channel. The experimental results show that tapping a portion of the optical power from the quantum communication channel during the synchronization process allows an attacker to remain unnoticed while the quantum protocol is operating. Experimentally proved the possibility of introducing malfunctions into the operation of the quantum communication system at the stage of key formation, while remaining invisible for control means.
The autocompensation quantum key distribution system with phase coding of photon states is investigated. The principle of operation of a fiber-optic system for the distribution of quantum keys is described. The analysis of the synchronization mode and the formation of quantum keys is carried out. The description of the experimental stand of the quantum-cryptographic network is given. The description of the software of the receiving-transmitting and coding stations is given. It is shown that in the synchronization process the time interval is determined to within picoseconds. The process of creating a virtual tunnel between two stations is described. The description of the full cycle of integration of quantum keys into algorithms of data encryption of a telecommunication network is given. It is shown, how length of the quantum channel of communication influences the process of formation of quantum keys. The possibility of using 256-bit quantum keys in the AES encryption algorithm has been experimentally proven.
The article is focused on research of an attack on the quantum key distribution system and proposes a countermeasure method. Particularly noteworthy is that this is not a classic attack on a quantum protocol. We describe an attack on the process of calibration. Results of the research show that quantum key distribution systems have vulnerabilities not only in the protocols, but also in other vital system components. The described type of attack does not affect the cryptographic strength of the received keys and does not point to the vulnerability of the quantum key distribution protocol. We also propose a method for autocompensating optical communication system development, which protects synchronization from unauthorized access. The proposed method is based on the use of sync pulses attenuated to a photon level in the process of detecting a time interval with a signal. The paper presents the results of experimental studies that show the discrepancies between the theoretical and real parameters of the system. The obtained data allow the length of the quantum channel to be calculated with high accuracy.
In the description of quantum key distribution systems, much attention is paid to the operation of quantum cryptography protocols. The main problem is the insufficient study of the synchronization process of quantum key distribution systems. This paper contains a general description of quantum cryptography principles. A two-line fiber-optic quantum key distribution system with phase coding of photon states in transceiver and coding station synchronization mode was examined. A quantum key distribution system was built on the basis of the scheme with automatic compensation of polarization mode distortions. Single-photon avalanche diodes were used as optical radiation detecting devices. It was estimated how the parameters used in quantum key distribution systems of optical detectors affect the detection of the time frame with attenuated optical pulse in synchronization mode with respect to its probabilistic and time-domain characteristics. A design method was given for the process that detects the time frame that includes an optical pulse during synchronization. This paper describes the main quantum communication channel attack methods by removing a portion of optical emission. This paper describes the developed synchronization algorithm that takes into account the time required to restore the photodetector’s operation state after the photon has been registered during synchronization. The computer simulation results of the developed synchronization algorithm were analyzed. The efficiency of the developed algorithm with respect to synchronization process protection from unauthorized gathering of optical emission is demonstrated herein.
A review of the existing commercial quantum key distribution systems was conducted. The principle of operation of a fiber-optic quantum key distribution system with phase coding of photon states is described. The operation of the system in the mode of forming quantum keys is described. The synchronization process is analyzed, which consists in detecting a time interval with an optical pulse. The basic properties and parameters of auto-compensation quantum key distribution system are reviewed. The images of the current stand of the quantum-cryptographic network are given. The stand includes two stations of the quantum key distribution system with phase coding of photon states, two servers and data transmission channels. It is shown that the formation of a quantum key in the experiment is carried out at a rate of 500 bits per second. The length of the quantum communication channel in the experiment is 24 km. In this case, the quantum channel consists of a conventional single-mode optical fiber. Trends in the development of quantum key distribution systems, as well as trends in the development of protocols for quantum cryptography was conducted.