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Environmental Effects on Light Propagation and Adaptive Systems

Integration of optical ground stations for QKD into a quantum network (Withdrawn by Author)

Stefanie Häusler, Davide Orsucci, Florian Moll

Published Oct 27, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher
DOI
10.1117/12.3091424

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Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) promises information theoretic security. However, the exponential decay of the secure key in optical fibres leads to limitations in long distance QKD distribution across fibres, which is necessary for global Quantum Networks (QNs). Satellite QKD can be used to generate keys over long distances bypassing fibre limitations and is thus a promising approach for global QNs. In this paper, we construct Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP) models to investigate how to best connect the core fibre network to ground stations to minimise the overall network cost. We design one MILP that can provide a quantitative value for the number of satellites needed for a given configuration and one to optimise the allocation of the core network nodes to ground stations to minimise the overall network cost. We use these models to investigate different strategies to allocate satellites to ground stations during a satellite overpass, showing that allocating satellites based on the expected transmission requirements can reduce the number of satellites needed in a network by up to 40%. Furthermore, we use these models to investigate securing the Data Centre traffic in 2 networks, one local European Network and one Global Network showing costs in the optimal configuration can be up to 40% cheaper than simply connecting core network sites to their geographically closest ground station.

Journal of Optical Communications and Networking•Feb 29, 2024•8 citations
Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables secure communication even in presence of quantum computers. Satellite based systems enable worldwide key distribution and connection of terrestrial quantum networks. In future, QKD satellite constellations can be operated to service ground users that are connected using an optical ground station. These QKD ground stations are assumed to be deployed in two scenarios. One is the option as end-user ground station, in which the ground user is directly connected to the satellite via the ground station. The other option is the use as a provider ground station, in which the ground user is connected via an intermediary fiber line. The performance of the satellite to ground QKD link depends on, amongst other, the environmental and infrastructural impacts of the site where it is located. Unlike in astronomical sites, the QKD Optical Ground Station (OGS) are not positioned in selected optimal environment, especially considering atmospheric turbulence and extinction. The QKD OGS mainly has to cope with the given environment instead. Knowledge of the site’s meteorological and infrastructural environment is important to assess performance of a QKD OGS when deployed. This paper discusses the most relevant aspects of a QKD OGS site characterization. These are atmospheric turbulence, atmospheric extinction, and background light. As a concrete example, the DLR Optical Ground Station Oberpfaffenhofen nearby Munich is used. Existing data is summarized, reviewed and needs for further data acquisition defined.
Satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution (QKD) has the potential to extend the reach of quantum secured communication to global scale. Taking the first step towards QKD using the UK quantum communication hub’s optical ground station (HOGS), this work presents results from a free-space QKD experiment conducted using the HOGS facility. A compact receiver module was integrated to HOGS and polarization encoded quantum bits, sent from a 2U QKD source, were detected, generating secret keys with total loss of up to 38 dB.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) promises information theoretic security. However, the exponential decay of the secure key in optical fibres leads to limitations in long distance QKD distribution across fibres, which is necessary for global Quantum Networks (QNs). Satellite QKD can be used to generate keys over long distances bypassing fibre limitations and is thus a promising approach for global QNs. In this paper, we construct Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP) models to investigate how to best connect the core fibre network to ground stations to minimise the overall network cost. We design one MILP that can provide a quantitative value for the number of satellites needed for a given configuration and one to optimise the allocation of the core network nodes to ground stations to minimise the overall network cost. We use these models to investigate different strategies to allocate satellites to ground stations during a satellite overpass, showing that allocating satellites based on the expected transmission requirements can reduce the number of satellites needed in a network by up to 40%. Furthermore, we use these models to investigate securing the Data Centre traffic in 2 networks, one local European Network and one Global Network showing costs in the optimal configuration can be up to 40% cheaper than simply connecting core network sites to their geographically closest ground station.