Chennai, Mar 23 (UNI) For the first time in the country, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully demonstrated free-space Quantum Communication over a distance of 300 m.
In a release here ISRO said, a number of key technologies were
developed indigenously to accomplish this major feat, which
included the use of indigenously developed NAVIC receiver
for time synchronization between the transmitter and receiver
modules, and gimbal mechanism systems instead of bulky large
aperture telescopes for optical alignment.
The demonstration has included live video-conferencing using
quantum-key-encrypted signals.
This is a major milestone achievement for unconditionally
secured satellite data communication using quantum technologies.
The Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology underpins Quantum
Communication technology that ensures unconditional data security
by virtue of the principles of quantum mechanics, which is not
possible with the conventional encryption systems.
The conventional cryptosystems used for data-encryption rely on
the complexity of mathematical algorithms, whereas the security
offered by quantum communication is based on the laws of physics.
'Therefore, quantum cryptography is considered as ‘future-proof’,
since no future advancements in the computational power can break
quantum-cryptosystem', the release said.
The free-space QKD was demonstrated at Space Applications Centre
(SAC), Ahmedabad, between two line-of-sight buildings within the
campus.
The experiment was performed at night, in order to ensure that
there is no interference of the direct sunlight.
The experiment is a major breakthrough towards ISRO’s goal of
demonstrating Satellite Based Quantum Communication (SBQC),
where ISRO is gearing up to demonstrate the technology between
two Indian ground stations.
UNI GV 1115