Descrizione del progetto
Verso una rete europea di satelliti per la distribuzione a chiave quantistica
La distribuzione a chiave quantistica (QKD, Quantum key distribution), o crittografia quantistica, utilizza la fisica quantistica per generare e scambiare «chiavi» segrete note solo alle due parti che le condividono. La QKD consentirà la futura interoperabilità delle reti di comunicazione quantistica e contribuirà alla preparazione in relazione alle minacce che i computer quantistici riveleranno. Per consentire la condivisione delle chiavi casuali, richiede una rete satellitare. Il progetto QUDICE, finanziato dall’UE, svilupperà i componenti e i sottosistemi per la QKD spaziale, al fine di consentire il funzionamento di una rete europea di satelliti che forniscano servizi di crittografia quantistica. Il progetto prevede di convalidare e dimostrare le tecnologie in un ambiente rilevante, fornendo una tabella di marcia verso la realizzazione di un sistema effettivo in un ambiente operativo.
Obiettivo
The protection of sensitive information is of crucial importance in our society: the security of money transfer, commercial transactions, medical data, remote control of critical infrastructures (power grid, telecom etc.) are key assets for EU citizens. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a promising solution to protect digital communications, guaranteeing unconditional security based on the laws of quantum mechanics rather than on the computation capability of an adversary. QKD requires a satellite network to allow the sharing of random keys between two legitimate users at the European scale. The main target of QUDICE is the development of the components and subsystems for quantum communication and optical systems for space-based QKD enabling the realization of a European network of satellites with quantum key distribution as the main service. Specific objectives of the project include:
- the development of a TRL6 space-qualifiable source for discrete variable (DV) QKD
- the development of a TRL5-6 space-qualifiable Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG)
- the development of a TRL6 space-qualifiable satellite Pointing and Tracking (PAT) system
- the development of a TRL5-6 space-qualifiable Entangled Photon Source (EPS)
- the development of a TRL5-6 space-qualifiable Continuous Variable (CV) QKD source
- the development of a TRL6 space-qualifiable onboard 5G system for QKD post-processing support and QKD-secured connectivity service
- the development of simulations and testbeds to assess quantum satellite communications components
- the definition of the roadmap towards TRL9 for the developed systems
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksmobile network5G
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesquantum physics
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringsatellite technology
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencescomputer securitycryptography
- natural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physicsparticle physicsphotons
Parole chiave
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinatore
35122 Padova
Italia