Patent · US Active

Quantum key distribution system

US8488790B2 · kind B2 · utility

24Cited by
10References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 31, 2011
Grant dateJul 16, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 23, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L9/0855
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A first signal is received from an initial quantum key generating transmitter via a single combined channel that includes a first quantum signal and a public data signal alternating in a time shared manner. The first signal is split into first and second split signals. A low attenuation is applied to the first split signal when the first split signal includes the first quantum signal. A high attenuation is applied to the first split signal when the second split signal includes the public data signal. The first split signal is received at an intermediate quantum key generating receiver (QKGR) when the low attenuation is applied and a first quantum key is generated. A second quantum signal is transmitted to a recipient QKGR and a second quantum key is generated. The first quantum key is encoded using the second quantum key and transmitted to the recipient QKGR.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.