Modelling of satellite constellations for trusted node QKD networks

Modelling of satellite constellations for trusted node QKD networks

Vergoossen, Tom (SpeQtral Pte Ltd.)
Loarte, Sergio (Student TU Delft)
Bedington, Robert (SpeQtral Pte Ltd.)
Kuiper, J.M. (TU Delft Space Systems Egineering)
Ling, Alexander (National University of Singapore)

2020

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.

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

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:3d4a6496-72e7-453f-9639-35c0849ca6a0

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.02.010

2020-08-18

0094-5765

Acta Astronautica, 173, 164-171

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.

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2020 Tom Vergoossen, Sergio Loarte, Robert Bedington, J.M. Kuiper, Alexander Ling