Miniaturized Quantum Key Unit
Motivation
The project “Miniaturized quantum key unit (MiQuE)” strives for the miniaturization of the technical modules, which, in future, shall be deployed mainly in mobile applications of quantum communication. Previous transmit and receive units in quantum key distribution (QKD) are usually installed in large server racks, which have high space and budget requirements for high-speed applications. Such units are fixed and communicate only via fiber optic cables. The focus of this project is mainly on the structural design reduction of the optical and quantum physical communication elements, but also on the minimization of the cost and energy requirements to enable the exchange of quantum keys also for mobile and end-user oriented security-critical use cases.
Approach and goals
The project outcome is expected to be demonstrators of portable optical QKD modules that can securely exchange quantum keys wirelessly with each other via line-of-sight (LOS). In MiQuE, the modules are tested in the following mobile applications: Keyless access to motor vehicles, tap-proof satellite communication, and virtual private networks (VPN). In MiQuE, Rohde & Schwarz contributes to the use case of mobile quantum-safe VPN in particular. The quantum keys distributed across the modules are made available to the hardened VPN clients and VPN gateways as communication endpoints via dedicated interfaces and integrated into the cryptographic data encryption procedures.
Project organization
MiQuE is a joint research project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the initiative “High performance components and optimized materials for quantum communications”. Various specialist partners from both research and industry are involved in the project. Quantum Space Systems GmbH is responsible for project lead.
- Project management: VDI-VDE Innovation + Technik GmbH
- Consortium: Quantum Space Systems GmbH, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Fraunhofer-Institut für Photonische Mikrosysteme, Duotec GmbH, Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity GmbH
- Project duration: 03/2023 – 02/2026