This paper presents a method for performance evaluation of quantum key distribution (QKD) based on satellites using thetrusted node repeater strategy. Evaluation is focused on low Earth orbits satellites to illustrate the effective secure key distribution to remote terrestrial nodes. QKD generates the secure key material at link level (satellite and ground station point-to-point connection), whose performance evaluation is already covered in several studies. In this work we focus on a second evaluation level corresponding to the secure key effectively distributed to the remote terrestrial nodes. This corresponds to the performance of key-relay capacity per pair of distant ground nodes willing to connect securely. Here the satellite acts as a flying trusted node, performing a public-XOR-key scheme: the composition of xored key material is produced on the satellite and published to the remote pair of ground QKD nodes to obtain the other side QKD key. Key-relay capacity is tied to the rate generation at link level but also depends on other parameters, such as differences in key rate generation per QKD segment, the chosen strategy of generation and distribution of composed key material, or the satellite and terrestrial network topology (e.g. number and localization of nodes). These different aspects condition and may lower the secret key material effectively distributed remotely. Then, a model for generation and distribution of keys is described and implemented in a simulation tool, allowing the understanding of the system and its performance evaluation under different circumstances. Results confirm the key-relay performance per node is upbounded by twice the generation at link level, and how different aspects may lower it.
This paper presents a method for performance evaluation of quantum key distribution (QKD) based on satellites using thetrusted node repeater strategy. Evaluation is focused on low Earth orbits satellites to illustrate the effective secure key distribution to remote terrestrial nodes. QKD generates the secure key material at link level (satellite and ground station point-to-point connection), whose performance evaluation is already covered in several studies. In this work we focus on a second evaluation level corresponding to the secure key effectively distributed to the remote terrestrial nodes. This corresponds to the performance of key-relay capacity per pair of distant ground nodes willing to connect securely. Here the satellite acts as a flying trusted node, performing a public-XOR-key scheme: the composition of xored key material is produced on the satellite and published to the remote pair of ground QKD nodes to obtain the other side QKD key. Key-relay capacity is tied to the rate generation at link level but also depends on other parameters, such as differences in key rate generation per QKD segment, the chosen strategy of generation and distribution of composed key material, or the satellite and terrestrial network topology (e.g. number and localization of nodes). These different aspects condition and may lower the secret key material effectively distributed remotely. Then, a model for generation and distribution of keys is described and implemented in a simulation tool, allowing the understanding of the system and its performance evaluation under different circumstances. Results confirm the key-relay performance per node is upbounded by twice the generation at link level, and how different aspects may lower it.
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.
Establishing information-theoretically secure communication between arbitrary locations on Earth is a central goal of quantum networking, for which space-based distribution of quantum entanglement is a leading approach. Modelling and analysis of the performance of satellite entanglement pair distribution is therefore important for the architecture and design of future constellations and space systems. However, entanglement-based quantum key distribution in the absence of quantum repeaters, is especially prone to finite-key effects due to low coincident count rates compared to trusted-node single-path links. Quantifying these effects under realistic orbital conditions is therefore essential for the design of practical satellite quantum communication systems. Here, we develop a high-fidelity model of pair distribution from a low-Earth-orbit satellite that captures orbital dynamics, elevation-dependent loss, background noise, and extraneous detector effects. Integrating this with a finite-key security framework for the BBM92 protocol, we optimise the secret key length across different overpass geometries, orbital altitudes, and optical ground station (OGS) separations. We show that secure key generation remains feasible in early clear daytime conditions using baseline parameters representative of current technologies, while showing that modest system improvements could further extend daytime operation. Finally, we evaluate the annual secret key performance for representative intercity-scale OGS pairings. Our results provide quantitative performance bounds and practical design guidelines for near-term entanglement-based satellite QKD, enabling informed trade-offs between satellite payload complexity, ground infrastructure, and achievable secure key throughput.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technology that enables the exchange of private encryption keys between two legitimate parties, using protocols that involve quantum mechanics principles. The rate at which secret keys can be exchanged depends on the attenuation that is experienced. Therefore, it is more convenient to replace many terrestrial fiber segments (and repeaters) by just few optical satellite links that would enable flexible global coverage. Then, the satellite nodes can take the role of trusted-relays, forwarding the secret keys from source to destination. However, since the rate at which secret keys can be generated in each quantum link is limited, it is very important to select the intermediate satellite nodes to inter-connect ground stations efficiently. This paper studies the most convenient allocation of resources in a QKD network that combines complementary connectivity services of GEO and LEO satellites. The aim of the centralized routing algorithm is to select the most convenient trusted-relays to forward the secret keys between pairs of ground stations, verifying the constraints that satellite-to-ground and inter-satellite quantum channels have.
Security is a major concern of digital society, and quantum key distribution (QKD) can contribute with an un-conditional secure mechanism for symmetric key distribution. Satellites have the opportunity to overcome the range limit of quantum communications based on fiber networks. This paper presents a method for performance evaluation of QKD based on satellites, exemplified with a case study that considers small satellites (CubeSats) in low Earth orbits (LEO), to illustrate a flexible configuration of the quantum range extender use case. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that a system evaluation derived from orbital propagation data is conducted while also considering QKD with a finite key statistics approach. This evaluation aims to match with the shortness and variability of visibility intervals typical of LEO orbits. The results confirm the feasibility of proposed case study and show the impact of relevant systems and orbital parameters in the key generation performance, such as system characteristics, uplink or downlink configuration, satellite altitude and orbital inclination. The estimated performance is then scaled to a year along with some sensitivity scenarios. The presented results may guide the design of future QKD satellite mission proposals.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a promising method to guarantee future-proof, information theoretic security. Since optical fibers have an exponential loss with distance, satellite-based QKD solutions are being developed in order to realize long-distance links. Therefore, Optical Ground Stations for QKD (QKD-OGS) need to be designed to enable quantum communication with satellites. Different link configurations will result in different integration options of the QKD-OGS in the terrestrial fiber network and therefore impact its performance. Applicable integration options must be identified and trade-off analysis conducted at the architecture, system and sub-system level. The reference scenario is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) downlink configuration employing a decoy-state BB84 protocol with polarization encoded qubits at 1550 nm wavelength. The satellite acts as trusted node for implementation of the key distribution between two parties on ground. Furthermore, only direct connections from the satellite to the end-users are considered, i.e. the QKD-OGS does not serve as a trusted-node relay. This results in the selection of three main integration concepts: first, a free-space, end-user QKD-OGS which is located directly at the end-user where the quantum signal is measured directly behind the receiver telescope in free-space; second, a fiber-coupled, end-user QKD-OGS where the quantum signal is coupled into a single-mode fiber and guided to a co-located server room hosting the QKD Receiver system; third, a fiber-coupled, provider QKD-OGS, which reaches several end-users by using a local fiber network. In order to evaluate these three concepts, the comparison parameter is defined to be an estimated factor of suppliable end-users. The estimated comparison factor shows that the fiber-coupled, enduser QKD-OGS can supply 6.7 times more end users than the free-space, end-user QKD-OGS. The fiber-coupled, end-user QKD-OGS can supply 129.7 times more end-users than the free-space, end-user QKD-OGS.
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.