- Prof. Dr. Sezer Gören Uğurdağ (alt proje 1) (yürütücü)
- Yiğit Bilgin (alt proje 1) (bursiyer)
- TBA (alt proje 1) (bursiyer)
- Dr. Kadir Durak (Özyeğin) (ana proje) (yürütücü)
- Dr. Aydın Yeniay (TÜBİTAK BİLGEM) (alt proje 2) (yürütücü)
Abstract
Project Summary
The aim of this Project is to establish communication security between two terminals by establishing quantum key distribution (QKD) on demand via a quantum key distributing module. An embedded system will be designed to enable a real-time (without dead-time) key distribution. The implementation of entanglement based QKD via a quantum key distributing module with a real-time embedded system will be a contribution to the literature for the ultimate goal of a wide-range quantum network.
Public-key cryptography schemes are no-longer considered safe due to the fact that quantum computers are at the threshold of the existence. This requires the use of the symmetric algorithms, which are quantum-safe. However, symmetric algorithms have randomness and the secure delivery of the key problems. At this point QKD provides solution to both of these problems. Due to the significance of the information security concept, investments to the goal of a wide-range quantum networks are increasing all around the World. In this project, we are aiming two significant steps towards the goal of a quantum network: the first is to provide a solution to direct line-of-sight problem in free-space optics method that has the potential to be built in city centers. The second is to establish a fast and reliable QKD system by means of FPGA.
The quantum key distributing module, which moves on demand to establish QKD between two terminals, creates two optical channels by positioning and aligning itself to the guide lasers pointed from the terminals. The entangled photons, which are sent through these channels, are to be measured to perform polarization analysis at the terminals. The measurement results are transferred from timestamp units to the FPGAs for taking the necessary steps for key sifting. The final key is used at the implementation of the secure communication by using the encryption algorithm, which is designed for FPGA as well. We aim 5 million photon pairs to be analyzed and then create real-time keys.
When this project is accomplished, the quantum key distributing modules will be considered as the key distributing stations that provide communication security. They will be the station nodes in the potential quantum network to provide solution for quantum computer assisted threats. The use of FPGA will act as a tool to make the quantum communication system reliable even when the number of nodes increases. These two outcomes of this project in the field of quantum communication overlaps well with developing new secure communication technologies goal of this grant call.
START: 2018
END: 2021
ID: 118E993
FUNDING INSTITUTION: TÜBİTAK
BUDGET: 2,132,642TL