Satellite-based Quantum Information Networks: Use cases, Architecture, and Roadmap

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Quantum Information Networks (QIN) currently represent a major goal in the field quantum communication technologies. Such QINs will allow connecting quantum devices (computers, sensors, communication stations, etc) over long distances, thus improving significantly their intrinsic processing, sensing, and security capabilities. The core mechanism of a QIN is quantum state teleportation, demonstrated more than two decades ago, that consumes quantum entanglement which can be seen in this context as a new kind of network resource. This paper is the result of the collaboration under the auspices of the French Space agency (CNES) of academic research and a Space telecom industry actor that has defined and now executes a long term roadmap towards operational QINs. Here, we address the key elements of this roadmap and describe the stage we have reached in its execution. First, we identify and quantitatively describe use cases per activity sector as a reference for the requirements on the QINs, including key performance targets. Second, we define a high-level architecture of a generic QIN so as to introduce structuring elements such as resource, layers, governance, etc. We then focus on the architecture on the Space part to identify its main design drivers and critical elements. A survey of the state-of-the-art of these critical elements, as well as issues related to standardisation is then presented. Based on these elements, we explain our 3-stage roadmap. Finally, we detail the already concluded first step of this roadmap, that is the design of a Space-to-ground entanglement distribution demonstrator, which relies on detailed simulations so as to allocate efficiently the performance requirements on each subsystems. We invite relevant entities to join our roadmap to progress together towards the ambitious goal of operational QINs in the next decade.

Quantum technologies in space

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Recently, the European Commission supported by many European countries has announced large investments towards the commercialization of quantum technology (QT) to address and mitigate some of the biggest challenges facing today’s digital erae.g. secure communication and computing power. For more than two decades the QT community has been working on the development of QTs, which promise landmark breakthroughs leading to commercialization in various areas. The ambitious goals of the QT community and expectations of EU authorities cannot be met solely by individual initiatives of single countries, and therefore, require a combined European effort of large and unprecedented dimensions comparable only to the Galileo or Copernicus programs. Strong international competition calls for a coordinated European effort towards the development of QT in and for space, including research and development of technology in the areas of communication and sensing. Here, we aim at summarizing the state of the art in the development of quantum technologies which have an impact in the field of space applications. Our goal is to outline a complete framework for the design, development, implementation, and exploitation of quantum technology in space.

Mathias Van Den Bossche | LIP6 - Équipe QI

Satellite-based Quantum Information Networks: Use cases, Architecture, and Roadmap

Quantum technologies in space