论文标题
关键服务(ROKS)的响应迅速操作:模块化,低交换量子通信有效载荷
Responsive Operations for Key Services (ROKS): A Modular, Low SWaP Quantum Communications Payload
论文作者
论文摘要
量子密钥分布(QKD)是一种理论上证明的未来的安全加密方法,它从基本的物理原理中继承了其安全性。与许多英国组织合作的工艺前景一直集中在微型化技术上,以使QKD能够使用,以便它们可以在包括纳米卫星在内的较小平台中使用。大小的显着降低,因此,在专用平台上启动量子通信技术的成本或作为较大光学通信的一部分托管的成本将提高潜在的在相对快速的时间表上获得量子加密的访问。 ROKS任务试图成为最早在Cubesat上发送QKD有效载荷的人之一,以证明新开发的模块化量子技术的能力。 ROKS有效载荷包括一个量子源模块,该模块在从量子随机数发生器馈送的四个线性极化状态中的任何一个中随机提供光子;采集,指向和跟踪系统,用光学接地站微调量子源光束;一个将自动检测云覆盖物的成像仪;以及一个控制和监视其他模块的板载计算机,该计算机管理有效载荷并确保系统的整体性能和安全性。这些模块中的每一个都在用于方形的掉期较低,但考虑到其他卫星形式的互操作性。我们介绍了每个列出的组件,以及我们的测试工作台的初始测试结果以及在与6U Cubesat平台系统初始集成之前的Protoflight模型的性能。完整的ROKS有效载荷将在2022年底准备飞行,各种模块化组件已经被固定在飞行中,并将其集成到第三方沟通任务中。
Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a theoretically proven future-proof secure encryption method that inherits its security from fundamental physical principles. Craft Prospect, working with a number of UK organisations, has been focused on miniaturising the technologies that enable QKD so that they may be used in smaller platforms including nanosatellites. The significant reduction of size, and therefore the cost of launching quantum communication technologies either on a dedicated platform or hosted as part of a larger optical communications will improve potential access to quantum encryption on a relatively quick timescale. The ROKS mission seeks to be among the first to send a QKD payload on a CubeSat into low Earth orbit, demonstrating the capabilities of newly developed modular quantum technologies. The ROKS payload comprises a quantum source module that supplies photons randomly in any of four linear polarisation states fed from a quantum random number generator; an acquisition, pointing, and tracking system to fine-tune alignment of the quantum source beam with an optical ground station; an imager that will detect cloud cover autonomously; and an onboard computer that controls and monitors the other modules, which manages the payload and assures the overall performance and security of the system. Each of these modules have been developed with low SWaP for CubeSats, but with interoperability in mind for other satellite form factors. We present each of the listed components, together with the initial test results from our test bench and the performance of our protoflight models prior to initial integration with the 6U CubeSat platform systems. The completed ROKS payload will be ready for flight at the end of 2022, with various modular components already being baselined for flight and integrated into third party communication missions.