Subject of study . Circuit design solutions for a quantum key distribution system implemented on unmanned aerial vehicles are investigated. Aim of study . The aim is to develop a compact and energy-efficient quantum key distribution system, adapted for installation on unmanned aerial vehicles, and capable of stable key generation under atmospheric optical signal propagation. Method . Computer simulation of optical circuits and modeling of flight conditions, including turbulence and atmospheric interference, are used to assess noise immunity, particularly emphasizing efficiency under limited resource conditions. Main results . An atmospheric optical scheme for implementing the BB84 protocol with decoy-state technology is proposed. A two-pass tracking system for stable alignment and synchronization under movement and vibrations is developed. In addition, optimal aperture parameters (diameter 4–7 cm) for operation at distances of up to 1000 m are determined. Practical significance . The developed solutions enable the creation of a mobile quantum key distribution system for rapid deployment in hard-to-reach areas. The compact size and low power consumption of the system make it compatible with small and medium unmanned aerial vehicles, thereby expanding opportunities for secure communication in emergency situations, remote-area monitoring (e.g., forest fires and floods), agriculture, and infrastructure protection.
Subject of study . Circuit design solutions for a quantum key distribution system implemented on unmanned aerial vehicles are investigated. Aim of study . The aim is to develop a compact and energy-efficient quantum key distribution system, adapted for installation on unmanned aerial vehicles, and capable of stable key generation under atmospheric optical signal propagation. Method . Computer simulation of optical circuits and modeling of flight conditions, including turbulence and atmospheric interference, are used to assess noise immunity, particularly emphasizing efficiency under limited resource conditions. Main results . An atmospheric optical scheme for implementing the BB84 protocol with decoy-state technology is proposed. A two-pass tracking system for stable alignment and synchronization under movement and vibrations is developed. In addition, optimal aperture parameters (diameter 4–7 cm) for operation at distances of up to 1000 m are determined. Practical significance . The developed solutions enable the creation of a mobile quantum key distribution system for rapid deployment in hard-to-reach areas. The compact size and low power consumption of the system make it compatible with small and medium unmanned aerial vehicles, thereby expanding opportunities for secure communication in emergency situations, remote-area monitoring (e.g., forest fires and floods), agriculture, and infrastructure protection.
The security of sensitive information exchange has become a major topic in recent years. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) provides a highly secure approach to share random encryption keys between two communication terminals. In contrast with traditional public cryptography methods, QKD security relies on the foundations of quantum mechanics and not on computational capabilities. This makes QKD unconditionally secure (if properly implemented) and it is envisaged as a main component in the next–generation cryptographic technology. QKD has already been successfully demonstrated in different contexts such as fibre-to- fibre, and free-space ground-toground as well as ground-to-air communications. However, Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) constraints have prevented previous implementations to be demonstrated on small form airborne platforms such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS). Project Q-DOS aims to deliver a QKD module using compact, cutting-edge photonic waveguide technology, which will allow low-SWaP aerospace requirements to be met. This module uses 1550 nm single photons to implement a BB84 protocol, and will enable the demonstration of a secure, high-speed optical communication data link (~0.5 Gbps) between a drone and a ground station. The targeted link range is 1 km. The airborne communications module, including the QKD terminal, tracking modules, traditional communications systems, optics and control electronics, must not exceed a mass of 5 kg and a power consumption of 20 W.
Subject of study. An optical system, composed of transmitting and receiving telescopes, was designed for quantum key distribution, based on the subcarrier wave modulation method, over an atmospheric channel. Aim of study. The aim of the study was to develop an optical system that allowed the use of single-mode fibers as the input and output of the system, ensured the transmission of an ultralow-power optical signal without introducing additional distortion, and implemented a protocol for distributing a quantum key over an atmospheric optical communication channel at a distance of up to 25 m. Method. An experimental setup with an atmospheric quantum communication channel was developed, which showed stable quantum key distribution without interruptions throughout the measurement process. Radiation propagation simulations were also performed to estimate the insertion loss of the optical signal. Main results. Simulations revealed that the optical losses in the quantum key distribution system amounted to approximately 17 dB. The atmospheric communication channel was studied at distances of 5, 10, and 25 m. Considering all optical elements of the system, including the ferrules of the output and input fibers of the quantum key distribution modules, the attenuation of the optical signal was approximately 8, 13, and 18 dB, respectively. Based on the atmospheric optical losses, the quantum key generation rates were of the order of 500, 350, and 190 bits/s with increasing distance and insertion losses. The probability of a quantum error was in the range of 3% to 5%, which was lower than the threshold of 6%, ensuring the legitimacy of the generated key and excluding the possibility of an attack on the communication channel. Practical significance. The compatibility of the developed optical system with single-mode optical fibers allows its integration into the existing infrastructure of data transmission lines without the need for additional optical radiation converters. Owing to the analyzed characteristics of the optical system for distributing a quantum key over an atmospheric communication channel, it can be applied in communication systems based on the Internet of Things, unmanned vehicles, and other moving objects.
Recent advances in small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) technologies lower the barriers for use by both private and commercial entities. However, these advances are also likely to lead to greater vehicle densities, a more heterogenous mix of vehicles and equipment and greater levels of vehicle autonomy, which can increase the chance for communications disruptions. For the safe and secure operation of these vehicles, it is essential to have a robust communications network. This work is focused on harnessing the power of quantum technologies to enable this robust communications network by: (1) utilizing quantum optimization algorithms to design robust network with routing redundancy that can respond adaptively to dynamically changing real-time environment and disruptions, (2) utilize quantum optimization algorithms resource allocation for detection, localization, and tracking of mobile communication disruption agents and (3) utilize quantum key distribution (QKD) to execute secure key sharing in anti-jamming protocols for secure radio frequency (RF) communication. Efforts to map these quantum optimization algorithms to commercially available quantum annealers and soon to be available general-purpose gate-model quantum hardware architectures will be reviewed, and plans for testing the solutions to these algorithms through indoor sUAS flight tests will be discussed. Lastly, efforts to miniaturize and practically deploy Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) hardware, which could ultimately be used to securely exchange encryption keys, in sUAS networks will be reviewed.
Quantum networks between mobile platforms enable secure communication, distributed quantum sensors, and distributed quantum computing. As progress towards a future quantum internet continues, connecting mobile platforms (e.g., unmanned drones, smart vehicles, ships, and planes) to quantum networks remains a challenge. For instance, engineering constraints for real-world mobile platforms require low size, weight, and power (SWaP) for quantum systems. Additionally, single photons must be routed to platforms that are in motion and experience vibrations. In this effort, we discuss progress toward developing and demonstrating quantum communication links, including decoy-state quantum key distribution (QKD), between mobile drone and vehicle platforms in several configurations (drone-to-drone, drone-to-moving vehicle, and vehicle-to-vehicle). We will discuss and analyze critical subsystems including our decoy-state QKD source based on resonant cavity light emitting diodes (LED), compact optical system design, pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) subsystem, single-photon detectors, field-programmable gate array-based time-tagger, and a novel time-synchronization algorithm. In addition, we present system performance including tracking performance under multiple conditions and mobile platform configurations.
Ensuring secure data transmission in agrotechnical monitoring systems using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is critical due to increasing cyber threats, particularly with the advent of quantum computing. This study proposes the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), based on the BB84 protocol, as a secure key management mechanism to enhance data security in UAV-based geographic information systems (GIS) for monitoring agricultural fields and forest fires. QKD is not an encryption algorithm but a secure key distribution protocol that provides information-theoretic security by leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics. Rather than replacing traditional encryption methods, QKD complements them by ensuring the secure generation and distribution of encryption keys, while AES-128 is employed for efficient data encryption. The QKD framework is optimized for real-time operations through adaptive key generation and energy-efficient hardware, alongside Lempel–Ziv–Welch (LZW) compression to improve the bandwidth efficiency. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed system achieves secure key generation rates up to 50 Mbps with minimal computational overhead, maintaining reliability even under adverse environmental conditions. This hybrid approach significantly improves data resilience against both quantum and classical cyber-attacks, offering a comprehensive and robust solution for secure agrotechnical data transmission.
Purpose of research . Modern unmanned aerial vehicles face challenges in maintaining reliable communications in the face of radio interference, difficult terrain (mountains, forests), or active electronic countermeasures. One possible solution to this problem is the application of quantum cryptography principles in combination with the latest communication protocols, such as LoRaWAN 2, which help ensure secure and stable data transmission in challenging environments. The Purpose of the esearch is to evaluate the feasibility of using quantum cryptography and the LoRaWAN 2 protocol to establish and maintain continuous, stable communication with an unmanned aerial vehicle. Methods . The research methods are based on concepts from statistical radio engineering theory and ultra-high-frequency radio wave propagation theory. Multicriteria analysis, parametric synthesis, and structural synthesis methods are used. The principles of information transmission from unmanned aerial vehicles are analyzed. A critical assessment of the performance of a UAV using quantum cryptography and the LoRaWAN 2 protocol is conducted. Results . Analytical expressions and comparative characteristics are presented to assess the potential for using quantum cryptography and the LoRaWAN 2 protocol with unmanned aerial vehicles. It is shown that using quantum cryptography, the probability of data interception in a UAV communication channel is approximately 1%, significantly increasing its security compared to RSA-2048. Quantum cryptography improves UAV security and key retrieval with a slight increase in weight, power consumption, and speed. In the coming years, with the development of compact systems, its promising implementation will become the standard for commercial drones. Conclusion . As promising areas of research and application in the field of using unmanned aerial vehicles, the use of quantum cryptography technology and the LoRaWAN 2 protocol should be considered, which contributes to improving the characteristics of UAVs: high range, energy efficiency, security and scalability.