Operational limits to entanglement-based satellite quantum key distribution

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2602.11833v1
• Date: Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:22:15 GMT
• Title: Operational limits to entanglement-based satellite quantum key distribution
• Authors: Jasminder S. Sidhu, Sarah E. McCarthy, Cameron Paterson, Daniel K. L. Oi,
• Abstract summary: Entanglement-based quantum key distribution is prone to finite key effects due to low coincident count rates.<n>We develop a high-fidelity model of pair distribution from a low Earth orbit satellite.<n>We integrate this with a rigorous finite-key security framework for the BBM92 protocol to optimise secret key length across different overpass geometries.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: Space-based distribution of quantum entanglement will be essential for global quantum networking and secure communications. Modelling and analysis of the performance of satellite entanglement pair distribution is important for the architecture and design of constellations and space systems. Entanglement-based quantum key distribution, in the absence of quantum repeaters, is especially prone to finite key effects due to low coincident count rates compared to trusted node single-path links. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive study of finite-key effects in the context of direct dual downlink quantum key distribution taking into account the characteristics of the overpass geometries. We develop a high-fidelity model of pair distribution from a low Earth orbit satellite that captures orbital dynamics, elevation-dependent loss, background noise, and extraneous detector effects. We integrate this with a rigorous finite-key security framework for the BBM92 protocol to optimise secret key length across different overpass geometries, orbital altitudes, and optical ground station (OGS) separations. These results provide quantitative performance bounds and design guidelines for near-term SatQKD missions, enabling informed trade-offs between satellite payload complexity, ground infrastructure, and achievable secure key throughput.

Related papers

• Opportunistic Scheduling for Single-downlink Satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution [12.283151076727762]
  How to schedule satellites to achieve efficient quantum key distribution (QKD) is an important problem.<n>We propose a novel opportunistic approach for satellite scheduling that accounts for fairness among the ground station pairs.<n>We evaluate this approach in a wide range of settings and demonstrate that it provides the best tradeoffs in terms of total and minimum key rates.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-12-14T01:42:02Z)
• Reinforcement Learning for Quantum Network Control with Application-Driven Objectives [53.03367590211247]
  Dynamic programming and reinforcement learning offer promising tools for optimizing control strategies.<n>We propose a novel RL framework that directly optimize non-linear, differentiable objective functions.<n>Our work comprises the first step towards non-linear objective function optimization in quantum networks with RL, opening a path towards more advanced use cases.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-09-12T18:41:10Z)
• Blockwise Post-processing in Satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution [49.84121978591396]
  We argue that improving classical post-processing is an important direction in increasing key rate in satellite-based QKD.<n>In particular, we explore one direction, blockwise post-processing, to address highly dynamic satellite channel conditions.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-03-08T03:06:04Z)
• Emulation of satellite up-link quantum communication with entangled photons [75.38606213726906]
  We demonstrate an ultra-bright source of far-non-degenerate entangled photons and perform quantum key distribution in emulated high-loss satellite scenarios.<n>With a loss profile corresponding to that of one of the pioneering Micius up-link experiments, and a terrestrial end user separated by 10km of telecom fibre we achieve secure key accumulation of 5.2kbit in a single overpass in the limit.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-02-05T19:14:55Z)
• Harnessing high-dimensional temporal entanglement using limited interferometric setups [41.94295877935867]
  We develop the first complete analysis of high-dimensional entanglement in the polarization-time-domain. We show how to efficiently certify relevant density matrix elements and security parameters for Quantum Key Distribution. We propose a novel setup that can further enhance the noise resistance of free-space quantum communication.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-08-08T17:44:43Z)
• Finite resource performance of small satellite-based quantum key distribution missions [36.136619420474766]
  Recent developments in finite key analysis allow three small-satellite-based QKD projects to produce secret keys even under very high loss conditions. We highlight the short and long-term perspectives on the challenges and potential future developments in small-satellite-based QKD and quantum networks.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-04-26T18:00:03Z)
• A CubeSat platform for space based quantum key distribution [62.997667081978825]
  We report on the follow-up mission of SpooQy-1, a 3U CubeSat that successfully demonstrated the generation of polarization-entangled photons in orbit. The next iteration of the mission will showcase satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution based on a compact source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs. We briefly describe the design of the optical ground station that we are currently building in Singapore for receiving the quantum signal.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-04-23T06:28:43Z)
• Quantum communication complexity beyond Bell nonlocality [87.70068711362255]
  Efficient distributed computing offers a scalable strategy for solving resource-demanding tasks. Quantum resources are well-suited to this task, offering clear strategies that can outperform classical counterparts. We prove that a new class of communication complexity tasks can be associated to Bell-like inequalities.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-06-11T18:00:09Z)
• Exploiting potentialities for space-based quantum communication network: downlink quantum key distribution modelling and scheduling analysis [8.25191890593706]
  We consider an evolved quantum network from a near-term form, in which a space-based relay, satellite executes a sequence of satellite-based quantum key distribution missions. We develop a comprehensive framework for the dynamic simulation of SatQKD and consider scheduling QKD downlink in future space-based quantum communication network.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-06-02T07:10:08Z)
• Realizing quantum nodes in space for cost-effective, global quantum communication: in-orbit results and next steps [94.08853042978113]
  SpooQy-1 is a satellite developed at the Centre for Quantum Technologies. It has successfully demonstrated the operation of an entangled photon pair source on a resource-constrained CubeSat platform.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-04-22T02:59:23Z)
• Finite key effects in satellite quantum key distribution [0.0]
  Satellite quantum communication overcomes optical fibre range limitations. First realisations of satellite quantum key distribution (SatQKD) being rapidly developed. limited transmission times between satellite and ground station severely constrains the amount of secret key due to finite-block size effects. We quantify practical SatQKD performance limits and examine the effects of link efficiency, background light, source quality, and overpass to estimate long-term key generation capacity.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-12-14T18:59:30Z)
• Satellite Quantum Communications: Fundamental Bounds and Practical Security [0.0]
  We apply and extend recent results in free-space quantum communications to determine the ultimate limits at which secret bits can be distributed via satellites. We study the composable finite-size secret key rates that are achievable by protocols of continuous variable quantum key distribution. We present a study with a sun-synchronous satellite, showing that its key distribution rate is able to outperform a ground chain of ideal quantum repeaters.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-12-03T06:53:57Z)
• Feasibility of satellite-to-ground continuous-variable quantum key distribution [0.23090185577016442]
  We study the feasibility of establishing secret keys in a satellite-to-ground downlink configuration using continuous-variable encoding. We find positive secret key rates for a low-Earth-orbit scenario, while finite-size effects can be a limiting factor for higher orbits.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-02-05T21:53:57Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.