DESIGN OF AN OPTICAL GROUND STATION FOR SPACE-BASED QUANTUM KEY DISTRIBUTION
Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides information-theoretic security built on the ‘No Cloning’ Theorem and recent efforts have demonstrated that space-based QKD may be established with acceptable link loss. Meanwhile, on the ground, a network of optical ground station (OGS) is necessary to support quantum satellite missions. The optical receivers are required to maximise the collection of photons that are sent down to generate secret keys for encryption. Hence, there is great value in studying the design of an OGS and its requirements in maximising key generation performance. One of the main novel contributions of this thesis is the determination of atmospheric seeing in Singapore. A pointing and tracking (PAT) sequence for the OGS after considering various possible sources of uncertainties in the satellite’s position is proposed. After considering the probability of capturing the satellite, the optimal FOV of the optical receiver is found to be approximately 13 arcseconds.
quantum key distribution, satellite, optical ground station, space-based, laser communication, atmospheric turbulence
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