Satellites are the efficient way to achieve global scale quantum communication (Q.Com) because unavoidable losses restrict fiber based Q.Com to a few hundred kilometers. We demonstrate the feasibility of establishing a Q.Com uplink with a tiny 3U CubeSat (measuring just 10X10X32 cm^3 ) using commercial off-the-shelf components, the majority of which have space heritage. We demonstrate how to leverage the latest advancements in nano-satellite body-pointing to show that our 4kg CubeSat can provide performance comparable to much larger 600kg satellite missions. A comprehensive link budget and simulation was performed to calculate the secure key rates. We discuss design choices and trade-offs to maximize the key rate while minimizing the cost and development needed. Our detailed design and feasibility study can be readily used as a template for global scale Q.Com.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1711.03409,
title = {Quantum Communication Uplink to a 3U CubeSat: Feasibility & Design},
author = {Sebastian Philipp Neumann and Siddarth Koduru Joshi and Matthias Fink and Thomas Scheidl and Roland Blach and Carsten Scharlemann and Sameh Abouagaga and Daanish Bambery and Erik Kerstel and Mathieu Barthelemy and Rupert Ursin},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1711.03409},
year = {2018}
}
Comments
24 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables. Fixed tables and figures