Qeyssat User INvestigation Team (QUINT)

QUINT联盟专门解决加拿大量子通信卫星任务的研究需求，如量子加密和科学卫星（QEYSSat）。该研究将为加拿大远距离量子互联网开发和测试解决方案，预计将支持以下用例：实现量子安全通信并帮助确保长期数据安全，因为量子计算的进步使当前的公钥加密变得脆弱。2.将量子计算机与用户以及彼此连接起来，这将实现新的计算应用，并以指数级方式扩展计算能力。3.使用量子网络加强计量学，如全球时间标准或大基线望远镜。 虽然量子信息可以通过直接光纤链路传输到几百公里外，但更远的距离需要其他方法，因为传输呈指数级下降，传统的放大对量子信息不起作用。随着地基量子中继器网络的发展，卫星到地面的量子链路是实现加拿大量子网络的关键组成部分。拟议研究的主要成果有两个方面：一是在项目1 - 3年期间开展与QEYSSat相关的详细研究，例如研究涉及多个地面站的上行链路和下行链路量子链路，演示卫星链路与地面网络的接口，以及链路性能和安全性的理论分析。第二个是整个项目1 - 5年的长期研究成果，旨在未来实现与卫星的量子通信网络。这包括设计和演示未来加拿大范围甚至全球量子互联网的构建模块和概念。最终目标是实现能够通过包括光纤、量子设备和地面站在内的地面基础设施传输量子编码数据的大规模全球网络，空间资产包括量子通信有效载荷，这将为加拿大和全球未来的信息网络带来重大利益。

The QUINT consortium is specifically addressing the needs for research around Canadian quantum communication satellite missions, such as the Quantum EncrYption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat). The research will develop and test solutions for a Canadian quantum internet over large distances, envisioned to support the following use cases: 1. Enable quantum secured communications and help ensure long-term data security, as advances in quantum computing make current public-key encryption vulnerable. 2. Connect quantum computers with users and with each other, which will enable new computing applications, and expand computing capacity exponentially. 3. Enhance metrology using quantum networks, such as global time standards or large-baseline telescopes. While quantum information can be sent over a few hundred kilometers using direct optical fibre links, larger distances require other approaches because transmission decreases exponentially, and conventional amplification does not work for quantum information. As ground-based quantum repeater networks are developed, satellite to ground quantum links are critical components to achieve a Canada-wide quantum network. The main outcomes of the proposed research are twofold: One is to conduct detailed research related to QEYSSat, during the project years 1 - 3, such as studies on uplink and downlink quantum links involving several ground stations, demonstrating interfaces of satellite links with ground-based networks, and the theoretical analysis of link performance and security. The second, longer-term, research outcome over the entire project years 1 - 5 is aimed towards future implementations of quantum communication networks with satellites. This includes the design and demonstration of building blocks and concepts of future a Canada-wide, or even global, quantum internet. The ultimate goal of achieving large-scale global networks capable of transferring quantum-encoded data via ground infrastructure which include optical fiber, quantum devices and ground stations, with the space assets including quantum communication payloads, will bring significant benefits for future information networks in Canada and globally.