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Wave Electronics and its Application in Information and Telecommunication Systems (WECONF)

Experimental Modeling of the Atmospheric Disturbances Influence on the Wireless Quantum Channel Characteristics

Natalia V. Pchelkina, A. K. Nanidzhanyan, A. V. Bahus, M. A. Yarygin

Published May 12, 2025• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The results of physical simulation of various optical disturbances in the atmospheric segment of a quantum wireless communication system are presented. Experimental setups for evaluating changes in the characteristics of the quantum key distribution system in an atmospheric communication channel in the presence of optical inhomogeneities in free-space (thermal zone disturbance, scattering water aerosol, incoming airflow) are described. Dynamic changes in quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the quantum sifted key generation rate under the influence of interfering disturbances in the atmospheric channel were obtained. It is determined that the strongest fluctuations in the characteristics of the quantum channel occurred when the source of disturbances was placed directly near the optical collimator connected to the quantum key distribution unit, which housed the single photon source.

DOI
10.1109/weconf65186.2025.11017206

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The results of physical simulation of various optical disturbances in the atmospheric segment of a quantum wireless communication system are presented. Experimental setups for evaluating changes in the characteristics of the quantum key distribution system in an atmospheric communication channel in the presence of optical inhomogeneities in free-space (thermal zone disturbance, scattering water aerosol, incoming airflow) are described. Dynamic changes in quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the quantum sifted key generation rate under the influence of interfering disturbances in the atmospheric channel were obtained. It is determined that the strongest fluctuations in the characteristics of the quantum channel occurred when the source of disturbances was placed directly near the optical collimator connected to the quantum key distribution unit, which housed the single photon source.
The paper presents a simulator of a controlled atmospheric channel that we developed to search for ways to increase the performance and flexibility of quantum key distribution systems in free space, allowing us to simulate various interfering factors (scattering aerosol, temperature and temporary inhomogeneity of the environment) on one trace. Preliminary testing of the performance parameters of the experimental atmospheric communication channel, such as transmission speed, frame rate, total number of frames in the presence and absence of thermal disturbances, was carried out; the loss of laser radiation power and the stability of its polarization parameters for generating a quantum key encoded in the polarization states of photons were assessed.
This paper explores the feasibility of using an atmospheric optical channel in a quantum key distribution communication system for communicating with unmanned aerial vehicles. The paper examines the specifics of turbulence in the tropospheric ground layer where the atmospheric link terminals of communication systems are located. The paper describes the methodology and a laboratory experimental setup. The paper measures the key optical, polarization, and network parameters in the presence of disturbance sources in the atmospheric optical segment. An experimental study of the atmospheric channel communication system under various weather conditions was conducted. The results of the experimental study of the influence of climatic factors on the characteristics of the atmospheric optical channel of the communication system showed a significant impact of climatic factors. The data obtained also allow us to formulate recommendations on the feasibility of using a quantum key distribution communication system with an atmospheric optical channel under various climatic factors and atmospheric turbulence.
Subject of study. This study examined the applicability of quantum key distribution (QKD) technology under free-space atmospheric conditions. Aim of study. The objective was the development of a hardware and software system for investigating the applicability of QKD technology in wireless communication systems based on commercially available modules. The system includes optical blocks for atmospheric optical communication and a training setup for studying QKD in fiber-optic communication lines. Method. The characteristics of a quantum communication channel in free-space conditions were studied through experiments. The channel was formed by the QKD units of the EMQOS 1.0 scientific and educational complex, integrated with optical blocks for atmospheric optical communication. The systems were also upgraded to minimize losses in the quantum channel. Main results. A hardware and software system was developed, within which the transmission of a quantum key through free-space atmospheric conditions over a distance of 180 m was successfully demonstrated. The quantum bit error rate did not exceed 6%. This system enabled the study of the effects of weather conditions on optical losses in the quantum communication channel and the quantum key generation rate. Practical significance. The developed hardware and software system allows the monitoring of the parameters of both classical and quantum communication channels in free space under various weather conditions. Its modular structure enables the integration of other quantum equipment for comparative testing of the performance of quantum communication systems under real atmospheric transmission conditions.
Subject of study. Technology for quantum key distribution in fiber-optic communication lines under the influence of electromagnetic fields generated by atmospheric discharges is studied. Aim of study. A test bench for testing experimental techniques to be used in studying the effect of atmospheric discharges on transmission of a quantum key via fiber-optic communication lines is developed. Method. The characteristics of a quantum communication channel upon exposure of a coil containing an optical fiber to a magnetic field from a pulsed current are experimentally studied. Main results. An experimental test bench has been created and methods have been developed to evaluate the influence of magnetic fields arising from atmospheric discharges (lightning) on the transmission speed of a quantum key in fiber-optic communication lines. It was shown that quantum key distribution blocks using the BB84 phase-encoding protocol continue to show operational stability when the optical cable is exposed to alternating magnetic fields of up to 1.2 mT. However, the very fact of exposure to magnetic fields above 0.8 mT can be detected by a systematic decrease in the quantum key transmission rate and an increase in the quantum bit error rate (QBER) by 0.5%–1%. Practical significance. The laboratory test bench and methods developed herein support magnetic-field testing of various optical cables used for transmission of qubits. Fiber-optic networks through which qubits are transmitted can serve as a distributed lightning sensor; an increase in the level of quantum errors and a decrease in quantum key generation rate will be observed in any segment of an optical network where a lightning discharge generates strong magnetic fields.
We devoted to analyzing information transfer in quantum channels in terms of the performance of quantum key distribution (QKD) free-space optical (FSO) communication systems through Bennett and Brassard 84 (BB84) protocol by taking into account the combined effect of attenuation, turbulence, pointing error, and angle of arrival (AOA) fluctuations. Path loss is modeled by Beer-Lambert law, and the turbulent channel is assumed to be Fisher-Snedecor F distributed. The pointing error and AOA fluctuations are modeled by Hoyt and Rayleigh distributions, respectively. The error and sift probabilities, quantum bit error rate, and secret key rate of a QKD FSO system are obtained in analytical form, and results are presented depending on various parameters. It is shown that increased beam waist, beam deviation, AOA fluctuations, and propagation distance cause performance degradation and less secure information transmission. However, an increase in the ratio of horizontal and vertical beam misalignments, field of view, average photon number per pulse, visibility of the atmospheric environment, and optical beam wavelength impact the performance of QKD FSO systems positively. The effect of the turbulence structure constant is observed to be modest on the performance of the QKD FSO system.
The quantum bit error rate is a key quantity in quantum communications. If the quantum channel is the atmosphere, the information is usually encoded in the polarization of a photon. A link budget is required, which takes into account the depolarization of the photon after its interaction with the atmosphere as well as absorption, scattering and atmospheric emissions. An experimental setup for the reproduction of a simple model of the atmosphere is used to evaluate the quantum bit error rate in a BB84 protocol and the results are presented. This result represents a first step toward the realization of an optical bench experiment where atmospheric effects are simulated and controlled for reproducing the effects on a quantum channel in different meteorological situations.