A Real-Time QKD System Based on FPGA

Author

Zhang, Hong-Fei ; Wang, Jian ; Cui, Ke ; Luo, Chun-Li ; Lin, Sheng-Zhao ; Zhou, Lei ; Liang, Hao ; Chen, Teng-Yun ; Chen, Kai ; Pan, Jian-Wei

Author_Institution

Dept. of Modern Phys., Univ. of Sci. & Technol. of China, Hefei, China

Volume

30

Issue

20

fYear

2012

Firstpage

3226

Lastpage

3234

Abstract

A real-time quantum key distribution (QKD) system is developed in this paper. In the system, based on the feature of a field-programmable gate array, secure key extraction control and algorithm have been optimally designed to perform sifting, error correction, and privacy amplification altogether in real time. In the QKD experiment, information synchronization mechanism and high-speed classic data channel are designed to ensure the steady operation of the system. Decoy state and synchronous laser light source are used in the system, while the length of optical fiber between Alice and Bob is 20 km. With photons repetition frequency of 20 MHz, the final key rate could reach 17 kb/s. Smooth and robust operation is verified with 6 h continuous test and associated with encrypted voice communication test.

Keywords

amplification; field programmable gate arrays; quantum cryptography; synchronisation; FPGA; decoy state; encrypted voice communication test; error correction; field-programmable gate array; high-speed classic data channel; information synchronization mechanism; photons repetition frequency; privacy amplification; quantum key distribution; real-time QKD system; real-time quantum key distribution system; secure key extraction control; synchronous laser light source; Control systems; Encoding; Field programmable gate arrays; Photonics; Protocols; Real time systems; Synchronization; Field-programmable gate array (FPGA); quantum key distribution (QKD); real-time key extraction;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Lightwave Technology, Journal of

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0733-8724

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/JLT.2012.2217394

Filename

6297426