QKD on a Board Limited by Detector Rates in a Free-Space Environment

Published

August 25, 2013

Author(s)

Alan Mink, Joshua Bienfang

Abstract

We discuss a high-speed quantum key distribution (QKD) system with the protocol infrastructure implemented on a single printed circuited board that can operate with various photonic subsystems. We achieve sub-nanosecond resolution with serial data receivers operating up to 2.5 Gb/s. Data processing bottlenecks are avoided with pipelined algorithms and controlled data flow implemented in a field-programmable gate array. This eliminates processing on the attached computer and frees CPU cycles for related activities, such as key management and system monitoring. Operating in a laboratory setting, we tested the QKD boards up to their maximum 2.5 GHz transmission rate, and found that under low-link-loss, high-count-rate conditions, timing jitter in the single-photon detectors imposed critical limitations to the maximum achievable throughput.

Proceedings Title

The Seventh International Conference on Quantum, Nano and Micro Technologies

Conference Dates

August 25-31, 2013

Conference Location

Barcelona

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

quantum communication, QKD, programmable instrumentation, gigahertz signals

Citation

Mink, A. and , J. (2013), QKD on a Board Limited by Detector Rates in a Free-Space Environment, The Seventh International Conference on Quantum, Nano and Micro Technologies, Barcelona, -1, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=913922 (Accessed April 18, 2024)