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Time Synchronization in Satellite Quantum Key Distribution

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Abstract

Time synchronization is one of the most crucial issues that must be addressed in developing quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. It not only lets the transmitter and the receiver to assign a sequence number to each event and then do correct basis reconciliation, but also allows to increase signal-to-noise ratio. Time synchronization in satellite communications is especially complicated due to such factors as high loss, signal fading, and Doppler effect. In this work, a simple, efficient, and robust algorithm for time synchronization is proposed. It was tested during experiments on QKD between Micius, the world’s first quantum communications satellite, and an optical ground station located in Russia. The obtained synchronization precision lies in the range from 467 to 497 ps. The authors compare their algorithm for time synchronization with the previously used methods. The proposed approach can also be applied to terrestrial QKD systems.

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Acknowledgments

The author is grateful to the University of Science and Technology of China and QSpace Technologies for providing data obtained during their joint experiments. The author especially thanks Dr. Chao-Ze Wang from USTC for his help in processing the experimental data.

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This work was supported by ongoing institutional funding. No additional grants to carry out or direct this particular research were obtained.

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  1. Moscow Centre for Quantum Technologies, Moscow, Russia

    A. V. Miller

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Miller, A.V. Time Synchronization in Satellite Quantum Key Distribution. Probl Inf Transm 59, 225–238 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0032946023040026

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