Micius experiment architecture, satellite QKD link budgets, trusted node limitations, and deployment readiness assessment.
How quantum key distribution works over free-space optical channels.
What state-funded satellite QKD programmes have demonstrated. Key areas include: Micius (2017): BB84 decoy-state over 1,200km, entanglement distribution results, and secure key rates achieved; QEYSSat (CSA): uplink BB84 from ground to microsatellite, Canadian quantum network integration plans; EAGLE-1 (ESA/SES): European LEO QKD pathfinder, scheduled demonstrations, and EuroQCI integration roadmap.
Atmospheric effects, link budgets, and ground station requirements. Key areas include: Atmospheric turbulence, beam wander, and scintillation: impact on single-photon detection rates at LEO altitudes; Optical ground station (OGS) requirements: telescope aperture, adaptive optics, single-photon detector technologies (SPADs, SNSPDs); Link budget analysis: secure key rate versus elevation angle, weather availability, and daylight operation constraints.
Full-day format only. Key areas include: Modelling a LEO satellite pass: key rate as a function of elevation angle, atmospheric conditions, and detector parameters; Comparing uplink versus downlink QKD architectures: photon loss, background noise, and pointing requirements; Estimating daily secure key yield for a reference LEO constellation with realistic weather and ground station availability.
Connecting satellite QKD to terrestrial quantum networks. Key areas include: Trusted node architectures: satellite as trusted relay between ground stations separated by thousands of kilometres; Integration with fibre QKD networks: EuroQCI, UK QKD network, and national quantum network programmes; QKD versus PQC trade-off framework: where satellite QKD adds security value beyond PQC alone, and where PQC is sufficient.
Independent assessment of satellite QKD providers. Key areas include: Capability comparison across commercial satellite and ground segment QKD providers; Constellation economics: cost per secure key bit, ground station deployment costs, and operational overhead; Sovereign capability considerations: European, UK, and allied nation approaches to satellite QKD infrastructure.
Q&A and Programme Planning: this session covers the core principles and technical underpinnings relevant to the subject area.
Discuss this topic with senior peers.
