English

Feasibility Study for CubeSat Based Trusted Node Configuration Global QKD Network

Quantum Physics 2021-03-01 v1

Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is the most used protocol in the context of quantum cryptography for sharing a private encryption key between two parties. Covid-19 pandemic has raised the ever-increasing need for online communications a lot; this requires enhanced security protocols. QKD has the potential to meet a global scale network's security requirements. Despite considerable progress, all ground-based QKD approaches have distance limitations due to atmospheric or fiber attenuation. A global network scheme can use intersatellite links to establish a trusted node network with constellations. This enables key elements for quantum internet which allows secure exchange of information between quantum computers. The most cost-effective and iterative approach for this goal is to exploit CubeSats. This paper summarizes technical challenges and possible solutions to enable a global QKD network using CubeSats. We discuss practical concerns and alternative paths involved with implementing such systems.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2102.13536,
  title  = {Feasibility Study for CubeSat Based Trusted Node Configuration Global QKD Network},
  author = {Ekin Aykut and Hashir Kuniyil and Melis Pahalı and Gizem Gül and Naser Jam and Kadir Durak},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2102.13536},
  year   = {2021}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-23T23:32:53.125Z