Examining quantum key distribution protocols in laser based satellite communications

Quantum communications offers secure and reliable key distribution protocols. The quantum solutions can be used in laser based satellite communications. However, many different physical parameters need to be taken into account to model a free-space optical channel. To complete the determination of e.g., the Quantum Bit Error Rate, a series of derived procedures are needed to execute, which has high complexity. An ideal solution is to place the calculations for simulation software, which issues all of the interpretable information about the properties of the communication channel. We created a free-space optical Earth-space channel model, developed a simulator and modeled the behavior of three quantum key distribution protocols for a given parameter set.