2021/02/26 by E Aykut, Aykut, Ekin, H Kuniyil +9
Computer Science · Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Quantum Information and Cryptography #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum Physics (quant-ph) #Radiation Effects in Electronics
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2102.13536
openalex publication_date 2021/02/26 · openalex created_date 2021/03/15 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is the most used protocol in the context of quantum cryptography for sharing a private encryption key between two parties. Covid-19 pandemic has raised the ever-increasing need for online communications a lot; this requires enhanced security protocols. QKD has the potential to meet a global scale network's security requirements. Despite considerable progress, all ground-based QKD approaches have distance limitations due to atmospheric or fiber attenuation. A global network scheme can use intersatellite links to establish a trusted node network with constellations. This enables key elements for quantum internet which allows secure exchange of information between quantum computers. The most cost-effective and iterative approach for this goal is to exploit CubeSats. This paper summarizes technical challenges and possible solutions to enable a global QKD network using CubeSats. We discuss practical concerns and alternative paths involved with implementing such systems.