Key management and user authentication for quantum cryptography networks
US8340298B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2007 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L9/0855
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Key management and user authentication systems and methods for quantum cryptography networks that allow for users securely communicate over a traditional communication link (TC-link). The method includes securely linking a centralized quantum key certificate authority (QKCA) to each network user via respective secure quantum links or “Q-links” that encrypt and decrypt data based on quantum keys (“Q-keys”). When two users (Alice and Bob) wish to communicate, the QKCA sends a set of true random bits (R) to each user over the respective Q-links. They then use R as a key to encode and decode data they send to each other over the TC-link.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.