Periodic Reporting for period 1 - QuTechSpace (Quantum technology components for space communication)
Berichtszeitraum: 2024-01-01 bis 2024-12-31
The goal of QuTechSpace is to push the development of key components for space quantum communication and to facilitate standardization of the technology. To this end, we will advance three core technology components: entangled photon source (EPS), prepare and measure (P&M) source, and the post-processing software for the QKD protocol. In particular, we will increase the performance parameters such as sending rates, reduce the size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP), and perform space qualification of hardware. The technology development will be accompanied by facilitating the standardization process of space quantum communication technologies and systems through active involvement in standardization bodies. By including European entities ranging from academics over new space companies and quantum technology developers to large system integrators, the joint European ecosystem will be included in the process and together we will work towards the joint goal of reaching European sovereignty in space quantum technologies. The technology development will be completed through testing in relevant environment, reaching TRL 6. Furthermore, the different technology components will be tested together in an end-to-end implementation of the quantum chain in the laboratory, providing crucial insights into the heart of space-based quantum-communication systems. QuTechSpace will conclude by giving an outlook and recommendations for future developments and implementations of quantum-communication systems.
Objective 1 (O1): Development of a high-performance space-deployable entangled photon source (EPS) reaching TRL 6:
qtlabs and Demcon will, in coordination with all consortium members, but with special emphasis on the inputs of system integrators OHB and ADS, devise a space-deployable source of entangled photon pairs at TRL 6. High-precision assembly of a robust Engineering Qualification Model will be carried out by Demcon.
Objective 2 (O2): Development of a high-performance space-deployable P&M source (P&MS) reaching TRL6:
qssys will, in coordination with all consortium members, but with special emphasis on the inputs of system integrators OHB and ADS, devise a robust and Engineering Qualification Model of a space-deployable prepare & measure source at TRL 6.
Objective 3 (O3): Development of efficient post-processing software for space quantum communication at TRL 6:
UVigo and esc will, in coordination with qtlabs, qssys, OHB and Airbus, perform a thorough analysis of the relevant security parameters for both P&M and EB QKD, including the effect of all relevant side-channels for the developed QKD platforms. UVigo will design an efficient QKD post-processing procedure which is able to perform authentication, error correction and privacy amplification on raw key bits, considering finite-key effects and ensuring universal composability, and esc will write the post-processing software matching the designed postprocessing procedure. The produced software is to be software category C. This allows later update to flight software (TRL 8) without major modification. Furthermore, the post-processing software will be compliant with the ECSS-E-ST-40C standard for space systems.
Objective 4 (O4): End-to-end verification of the quantum chain at TRL 5, demonstrating full functionality:
In order to certify TRL 6 of both the P&MS and the EPS, Alter will execute vibrational tests with both finalized sources and perform thermal cycling in a vacuum chamber with them. qtlabs and qssys will accompany these tests with performance evaluations of the sources before, after and – where possible – during the test campaigns. Further, to ensure optimal end-to-end functionality of sources, receiver, and post-processing, qtlabs will be in charge of assembling all of the above components and assessing their respective performances under simulated in-orbit loss conditions. This will allow verification of TRL 5 of the quantum chain as a whole. Precise performance benchmarks will be defined during specifications in WP 5, since they strongly depend on the final wavelength, the satellite orbit and the properties of the satellite optical terminal.
Objective 5 (O5): Facilitate and start standardization activities for space quantum communication:
UPM will, in close cooperation with OHB, ADS, qtlabs, Alter, and qssys, prepare the standardization of the different outcomes of the project. The consortium will build a Roadmap of Quantum Communications in Space Standardization. The Roadmap will be presented for formal approval as a Technical Report in a Standardization Developing Organization (SDO). We target either ETSI or CEN/CENELEC as SDOs for the standardization projects: they are European but able to produce international standards and the QuTechSpace consortium has enough weight in them to successfully start the process. To maximize the success probability of processes that depend on voting of representatives at different level, the consortium will encourage consensus among all interested parties by promoting external workshops and the creation of working groups within the SDOs, among other activities.
qtlabs and Demcon will, in coordination with all consortium members, but with special emphasis on the inputs of system integrators OHB and ADS, devise a space-deployable source of entangled photon pairs at TRL 6. High-precision assembly of a robust Engineering Qualification Model will be carried out by Demcon.
Objective 2 (O2): Development of a high-performance space-deployable P&M source (P&MS) reaching TRL6:
qssys will, in coordination with all consortium members, but with special emphasis on the inputs of system integrators OHB and ADS, devise a robust and Engineering Qualification Model of a space-deployable prepare & measure source at TRL 6.
Objective 3 (O3): Development of efficient post-processing software for space quantum communication at TRL 6:
UVigo and esc will, in coordination with qtlabs, qssys, OHB and Airbus, perform a thorough analysis of the relevant security parameters for both P&M and EB QKD, including the effect of all relevant side-channels for the developed QKD platforms. UVigo will design an efficient QKD post-processing procedure which is able to perform authentication, error correction and privacy amplification on raw key bits, considering finite-key effects and ensuring universal composability, and esc will write the post-processing software matching the designed postprocessing procedure. The produced software is to be software category C. This allows later update to flight software (TRL 8) without major modification. Furthermore, the post-processing software will be compliant with the ECSS-E-ST-40C standard for space systems.
Objective 4 (O4): End-to-end verification of the quantum chain at TRL 5, demonstrating full functionality:
In order to certify TRL 6 of both the P&MS and the EPS, Alter will execute vibrational tests with both finalized sources and perform thermal cycling in a vacuum chamber with them. qtlabs and qssys will accompany these tests with performance evaluations of the sources before, after and – where possible – during the test campaigns. Further, to ensure optimal end-to-end functionality of sources, receiver, and post-processing, qtlabs will be in charge of assembling all of the above components and assessing their respective performances under simulated in-orbit loss conditions. This will allow verification of TRL 5 of the quantum chain as a whole. Precise performance benchmarks will be defined during specifications in WP 5, since they strongly depend on the final wavelength, the satellite orbit and the properties of the satellite optical terminal.
Objective 5 (O5): Facilitate and start standardization activities for space quantum communication:
UPM will, in close cooperation with OHB, ADS, qtlabs, Alter, and qssys, prepare the standardization of the different outcomes of the project. The consortium will build a Roadmap of Quantum Communications in Space Standardization. The Roadmap will be presented for formal approval as a Technical Report in a Standardization Developing Organization (SDO). We target either ETSI or CEN/CENELEC as SDOs for the standardization projects: they are European but able to produce international standards and the QuTechSpace consortium has enough weight in them to successfully start the process. To maximize the success probability of processes that depend on voting of representatives at different level, the consortium will encourage consensus among all interested parties by promoting external workshops and the creation of working groups within the SDOs, among other activities.
(1) High performance entangled photon source for satellite-based QKD and quantum communication at TRL 6.
(2) High-rate prepare and measurement source for space at TRL 6.
(3) Efficient post-processing software for space quantum communication for both P&M and entangled protocols with rigorous security proves at TRL 6.
(4) End-to-end verification of the quantum chain showing TRL 5. This demonstrates the full functionality of the system of sources, channel, detection, and post processing software.
(5) Fostering and pushing for standardization for space quantum communication at standardization bodies such at ETSI or CEN.
Furthermore, the EU space QKD ecosystem is strengthened, and contributions to planned European QKD missions are expected.
(2) High-rate prepare and measurement source for space at TRL 6.
(3) Efficient post-processing software for space quantum communication for both P&M and entangled protocols with rigorous security proves at TRL 6.
(4) End-to-end verification of the quantum chain showing TRL 5. This demonstrates the full functionality of the system of sources, channel, detection, and post processing software.
(5) Fostering and pushing for standardization for space quantum communication at standardization bodies such at ETSI or CEN.
Furthermore, the EU space QKD ecosystem is strengthened, and contributions to planned European QKD missions are expected.