In this paper we present a novel analysis of the feasibility of quantum key distribution between a LEO satellite and a ground station. First of all, we study signal propagation through a turbulent atmosphere for uplinks and downlinks, discussing the contribution of beam spreading and beam wandering. Then we introduce a model for the background noise of the channel during night-time and day-time, calculating the signal-to-noise ratio for different configurations. We also discuss the expected error-rate due to imperfect polarization-compensation in the channel. Finally, we calculate the expected key generation rate of a secure key for different configurations (uplink, downlink) and for different protocols (BB84 with and without decoy states, entanglement-based Ekert91 protocol).
@article{arxiv.0903.2160,
title = {Feasibility of satellite quantum key distribution},
author = {Cristian Bonato and Andrea Tomaello and Vania Da Deppo and Giampiero Naletto and Paolo Villoresi},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0903.2160},
year = {2015}
}