C-DOT & PRL demonstrate integration of indigenous Fiber based Quantum Key Distribution system with Free Space QKD system
C-DOT & PRL Achieve
Significant Milestone: In a first in the country, both the organisations
demonstrate integration of CDOT’s indigenous Fiber based Quantum Key
Distribution (QKD) system with Free Space QKD system from Physical
Research Laboratory (PRL) leading to establishment of an end to end quantum
communication link involving both Fiber and Free space as transport medium.
The end to end quantum communication link with C-DOT’s
Fibre-based QKD integrated with PRLs free space QKD was demonstrated to Prof
Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and Dr
Neeraj Mittal, Secretary Department of Telecommunications, Government of India
during 2nd International Quantum Communication Conclave held at Vigyan Bhawan,
New Delhi.
The rapid progress in quantum computers and quantum
algorithms has put the security of the existing classical techniques of data
security at risk as huge computational power of quantum computers can easily
break the secrecy of the key used for encryption / decryption. The
computational capacity of a quantum computer is expected to be million times
faster compared to the most advanced classical computer available today.
Although huge computing power is useful for solving many day-to-day issues and
complex problems in various fields like financial, chemical, pharmaceutical,
and automotive sectors, it will pose a threat to the security of the existing
communication and data security infrastructure if any adversary gains access to
quantum computers.
This imminent threat can be addressed by another new
emerging branch of Quantum Technologies viz. Quantum Communications. One of the
techniques of Quantum Communications viz. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) solves
this problem and enables communication networks to ensure fool-proof security
even in the presence of Quantum Computers. QKD will, thus, play a critical role
in the country’s economic development and has widespread applications in
strategic sectors like defence, government communications, pharmaceutical and
healthcare industries, financial services, data centres and telecommunication
networks. QKD can be deployed through different mediums viz. optical fibre,
free space as well as satellite to provide end to end security over the
communication network.
Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), telecom
Research and Development (R&D) arm of Department of Telecommunications, has
indigenously developed rugged & field deployable QKD solutions. CDOT is the
first organisation in the country to have received Technology Approval from
Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), a body under the Department of
Telecommunications, Government of India. Notably, C-DOT’s QKD link has been
live between Sanchar Bhawan and NIC Headquarters (CGO Complex) since February
last year.
Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) is a 75 years old
premier research institute under the Department of Space (DOS) and regarded as
the cradle of space sciences in India. It has been working on utilizing space
for quantum secure communication with support from the DOS and the Department
of Science and Technology (DST). In the process of moving towards satellite-based
quantum communication, it has already demonstrated free-space QKD with
entangled photons and the effect of atmosphere on the secure key rate for 200
meters. Again, working with Space Application Centre (SAC), the institute was
able to demonstrate end to end quantum encryption for 300 meters using
indigenously developed entangled photon source.
Few years back, C-DOT and PRL had signed a MoU with an
objective to cooperate in the development of Quantum Communication
Technologies. As part of the same, C-DOT and PRL planned to integrate fibre
based QKD system of C-DOT with PRL’s free space QKD system. Now the same has
been successfully completed providing an integrated solution to comprehensively
address the needs of quantum secure communication networks, a landmark
achievement in the niche area of Quantum Communication Technologies.
During the demonstration, Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO,
C-DOT said that it’s a significant achievement for both CDOT and PRL and both
the organisations will continue to work towards further scaling of
the integrated QKD system.
C-DOT demonstrating integrated
quantum communication link with C-DOT’s Fibre-based QKD integrated with PRLs
free space QKD to Prof Ajay Sood, PSA to Government of India and Dr Neeraj
Mittal, Secretary Department of Telecommunications.