QUARC: Quantum Research Cubesat-A Constellation for Quantum Communication
QUARC: Quantum Research Cubesat-A Constellation for Quantum Communication
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DOI：
10.3390/cryptography4010007
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发表时间：
2020-03-01
期刊：
影响因子：
1.6
通讯作者：
Li Oi, Daniel Kuan
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Mazzarella, Luca;Lowe, Christopher;Li Oi, Daniel Kuan
量子密钥分发（QKD）提供了基于基本物理定律的未来证明安全性。跨越诸如英国（UK）的区域的长距离QKD可以采用卫星星座。低地球轨道上的小型卫星，特别是立方体卫星，是传统大型平台的一种成本相对较低的替代方案。它们允许部署大量航天器，确保更大的覆盖范围，并减轻由于云层覆盖而与可用性相关的一些风险。我们提出了我们的使命分析，显示了如何星座包括15个低成本的6U立方体卫星可以用来形成一个安全的通信骨干，地面和城市网络在英国。我们估计了英国43个地点的每月关键利率，结合当地的气象数据，大气通道建模和轨道参数。我们已经优化了星座拓扑结构，以实现快速重访，从而实现低延迟的密钥分发。
Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers future proof security based on fundamental laws of physics. Long-distance QKD spanning regions such as the United Kingdom (UK) may employ a constellation of satellites. Small satellites, CubeSats in particular, in low Earth orbit are a relatively low-cost alternative to traditional, large platforms. They allow the deployment of a large number of spacecrafts, ensuring greater coverage and mitigating some of the risk associated with availability due to cloud cover. We present our mission analysis showing how a constellation comprising 15 low-cost 6U CubeSats can be used to form a secure communication backbone for ground-based and metropolitan networks across the UK. We have estimated the monthly key rates at 43 sites across the UK, incorporating local meteorological data, atmospheric channel modelling and orbital parameters. We have optimized the constellation topology for rapid revisit and thus low-latency key distribution.