Manuel Erhard

Satellite-based implementations are essential to realise QKD systems with global reach. Our current work aims to develop a consistent protocol that specifies the individual procedural steps of Decoy-State BB84 for space applications, accompanied by a rigorous security analysis. To this end, we are bringing together the results of decades of fundamental research and patching gaps where necessary to make it ready for application in accredited systems. On the poster, we will present interim results as well as the main challenges we are facing. For a more detailed abstract, please see the submitted pdf file above.

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a fast growing scientific as well as commercial field. Governments as well as private businesses seek for enhanced security solutions that can withstand future hacking attacks on classical cryptographic protocols. Today, there exists a vast amount of different QKD protocols that claim to offer “unconditional” security. However, looking in more detail many subtleties lead to different security levels, or in worst-case scenarios to no security at all. Thus, it is of upmost importance to appropriately select and design QKD protocols and networks. In this work (presented as a poster), we present and compare three different QKD protocols, concerning their security, key-rate performance, and applicability especially for satellite-based QKD networks. Our main results from this study are presented and we introduce the key requirements and the basic workflow of the design and optimization of a trusted-node based and free European QKD network. Finally, realistic satellite missions and their expected secure key rates in various situations are presented.