Engineering Commons^™

Pointing Analysis And Design Drivers For Low Earth Orbit Satellite Quantum Key Distribution, Jeremiah A. Specht

Theses and Dissertations

The world relies on encryption to perform critical and sensitive tasks every day. If quantum computing matures, the capability to decode keys and decrypt messages becomes possible. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a method of distributing secure cryptographic keys which relies on the laws of quantum mechanics. Current implementations of QKD use fiber-based channels which limit the number of users and the distance between users. Satellite-based QKD using free-space channels is proposed as a feasible secure global communication solution. Since a free-space link does not use a waveguide, pointing a transmitter to receiver is required to ensure signal arrival. In …