https://doi.org/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-024-00254-w
Research
Optical payload design for downlink quantum key distribution and keyless communication using CubeSats
1
Departamento de Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
2
Instituto de Telecomunicações, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
3
Departamento de Física, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001, Lisbon, Portugal
4
Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, R. Conselheiro Emídio Navarro 1, 1959-007, Lisbon, Portugal
5
Vigo Quantum Communication Center, University of Vigo, E-36310, Vigo, Spain
6
Escuela de Ingeniería de Telecomunicación, Department of Signal Theory and Communications, University of Vigo, E-36310, Vigo, Spain
7
AtlanTTic Research Center, University of Vigo, E-36310, Vigo, Spain
Received:
2
December
2023
Accepted:
26
June
2024
Published online:
30
July
2024
Quantum key distribution is costly and, at the moment, offers low performance in space applications. Other more recent protocols could offer a potential practical solution to this problem. In this work, a preliminary optical payload design using commercial off-the-shelf elements for a quantum communication downlink in a 3U CubeSat is proposed. It is shown that this quantum state emitter allows the establishment of two types of quantum communication between the satellite and the ground station: quantum key distribution and quantum keyless private communication. Numerical simulations are provided that show the feasibility of the scheme for both protocols as well as their performance. For the simplified BB84, a maximum secret key rate of about 80 kHz and minimum QBER of slightly more than 0.07% is found, at the zenith, while for quantum private keyless communication, a 700 MHz private rate is achieved. This design serves as a platform for the implementation of novel quantum communication protocols that can improve the performance of quantum communications in space.
Key words: CubeSat / Quantum key distribution / Quantum keyless private communication
© The Author(s) 2024
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