Modelling of satellite constellations for trusted node QKD networks

Tom Vergoossen; Sergio Loarte; Robert Bedington; Hans Kuiper; Alexander Ling

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.02.010

Modelling of satellite constellations for trusted node QKD networks

Tom Vergoossen^*, Sergio Loarte, Robert Bedington, Hans Kuiper, Alexander Ling

^*Corresponding author for this work

Space Systems Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

262 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Quantum key distribution from satellites becomes particularly valuable when it can be used on a large network and on-demand to provide a symmetric encryption key to any two nodes. A constellation model is described which enables QKD-derived encryption keys to be established between any two ground stations with low latency. This is achieved through the use of low earth orbit trusted-node QKD satellites which create a buffer of keys with the ground stations they pass over, and geostationary relay satellites to transfer secure combinations of the keys to the ground stations. Regional and global network models are considered and the use of inter-satellite QKD links for balancing keys is assessed.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	164-171
Number of pages	8
Journal	Acta Astronautica
Volume	173
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.02.010
Publication status	Published - 2020

Bibliographical note

Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

Keywords

BB84
Constellations
Inter-satellite link
LEO
QKD
Quantum cryptography
Satellites
Trusted node

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10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.02.010

1-s2.0-S0094576520300722-mainFinal published version, 2.19 MB

Cite this

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title = "Modelling of satellite constellations for trusted node QKD networks",

abstract = "Quantum key distribution from satellites becomes particularly valuable when it can be used on a large network and on-demand to provide a symmetric encryption key to any two nodes. A constellation model is described which enables QKD-derived encryption keys to be established between any two ground stations with low latency. This is achieved through the use of low earth orbit trusted-node QKD satellites which create a buffer of keys with the ground stations they pass over, and geostationary relay satellites to transfer secure combinations of the keys to the ground stations. Regional and global network models are considered and the use of inter-satellite QKD links for balancing keys is assessed.",

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AU - Loarte, Sergio

AU - Bedington, Robert

AU - Kuiper, Hans

AU - Ling, Alexander

N1 - Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

PY - 2020

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AB - Quantum key distribution from satellites becomes particularly valuable when it can be used on a large network and on-demand to provide a symmetric encryption key to any two nodes. A constellation model is described which enables QKD-derived encryption keys to be established between any two ground stations with low latency. This is achieved through the use of low earth orbit trusted-node QKD satellites which create a buffer of keys with the ground stations they pass over, and geostationary relay satellites to transfer secure combinations of the keys to the ground stations. Regional and global network models are considered and the use of inter-satellite QKD links for balancing keys is assessed.

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Modelling of satellite constellations for trusted node QKD networks

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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