Quantum Key Distribution over Double-Layer Quantum Satellite Networks

34Citations
Citations of this article
32Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) has attracted much attention on secure communications across global networks. QKD over satellite networks can overcome the limitations of terrestrial optical networks, such as large attenuation over long distance fiber channel and difficulty of intercontinental domain communications. Different QKD networks (around the world) can intercommunicate through quantum satellites, leading to a global quantum network in near future. This raises a new resource allocation and management problem of QKD involving multiple satellite layers and distributed ground stations. Using existing schemes, a single satellite cannot perform QKD for ground stations for the whole day. Moreover, the research problem is more challenging due to limitations of satellite coverage: limited cover time of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, high channel losses of geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, etc. To overcome these limitations, our study proposes a double-layer quantum satellite network (QSN) implemented quantum key pool (QKP) to relay keys for ground stations. We propose a new architecture of trusted-repeater-based double-layer quantum satellite networks, comprising GEO and LEO satellites. We also address the routing and key allocation (RKa) problem for key-relay services over QSNs. We propose a novel joint GEO-LEO routing and key allocation (JGL-RKa) algorithm to solve the RKa problem. Simulative results show that the proposed scheme can increase success probability of key-relay services significantly. We also present the impact of different route selections mechanisms, number of satellite links, satellite node capability, and service granularity on network performance.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Huang, D., Zhao, Y., Yang, T., Rahman, S., Yu, X., He, X., & Zhang, J. (2020). Quantum Key Distribution over Double-Layer Quantum Satellite Networks. IEEE Access, 8, 16087–16098. https://doi.org/10.1109/aCCESS.2020.2966683

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free