We optimize secret key rates (SKRs) of weak coherent pulse (WCP)-based quantum key distribution (QKD) over time-varying free-space optical channels affected by atmospheric turbulence. The random irradiance fluctuation due to scintillation degrades the SKR performance of WCP-based QKD, and to improve the SKR performance, we propose an adaptive scheme in which transmit power is changed in accordance with the channel state information. We first optimize BB84 and decoy state-based QKD protocols for different channel transmittances. We then present our adaptation method, to overcome scintillation effects, of changing the source intensity based on channel state predictions from a linear autoregressive model while ensuring the security against the eavesdropper. By simulation, we demonstrate that by making the source adaptive to the time-varying channel conditions, SKRs of WCP-based QKD can be improved up to over 20%.

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In this thesis, the optical communication systems for millimeter-scale sensing and communication devises known as "Smart Dust" are described and analyzed. A smart dust element is a self-contained sensing and communication system that can be combined into roughly a cubic-millimeter mote to perform integrated, massively distributed sensor networks. The suitable passive optical and fiber-optic communication systems will be selected for the further performance design and analysis based on the requirements for implementing these systems. Based on the communication link designs of the free-space passive optical and fiber-optic communication systems, the simulations for link performance will be performed. / Master of Science

Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication through the terrestrial atmospheric channel offers many benefits in the wireless communications arena, like power efficiency; suitability for secure communications; absence of electromagnetic interference; and potentially very high bandwidth. An optical beam propagating through the atmosphere is subject to optical turbulence. Optical turbulence is a random process that distorts the intensity and phase structure of a propagating optical beam and induces a varying signal at the receiver of an FSO communication link. This phenomenon (usually referred to as scintillation) degrades the performance of the FSO link by increasing the probability of error. In this dissertation we seek to characterize the effects of the scintillation-induced power fluctuations by determining the channel capacity of the optical link using numerical methods. We find that capacity decreases monotonically with increasing turbulence strength in weak turbulence conditions, but it is non-monotonic in strong turbulence conditions. We show that low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes provide strong error control capabilities in this channel if a perfect interleaver is used. Multiple transmit optical beams can be used to reduce scintillation. We characterize the spatial correlation of the atmospheric optical channel and determine a scintillation model for the multiple-beam scheme. With this model we can predict the effective reduction in scintillation as a function of the system design parameters. A Multi-channel FSO communications system based on orbital angular momentum (OAM)-carrying beams is studied. We analyze the effects of turbulence on the system and find that turbulence induces attenuation and crosstalk among OAM channels. Based on a model in which the constituent channels are binary symmetric and crosstalk is a Gaussian noise source, we find optimal sets of OAM states at each turbulence condition studied, and determine the aggregate capacity of the multi-channel system at those conditions. At very high data rates the FSO channel shows inter-symbol interference (ISI). We address the problem of joint sequence detection in ISI channels and decoding of LDPC codes. We derive the belief propagation equations that allow the simultaneous detection and decoding of a LDPC codeword in a ISI channel.

Multipulse pulse position modulation (MPPM) has been widely proposed to improve data rate over the traditional pulse position modulation (PPM) in free-space optical communication systems. However, there is no known efficient method of encoding MPPM codewords. Furthermore, MPPM is not the optimal coding scheme (in terms of data rate) given the two main constraints of optical systems (duty cycle and zero runlength). In this work, an improved encoding technique for MPPM is provided as well as an analysis of regions where significant rate gain over MPPM is achievable. A new coding technique based on constrained coding is introduced that allows construction of codes which achieves considerable rate gain over comparable MPPM systems. In addition, our new codes allow for convenient concatenation with an outer-code and are suitable for iterative decoding. Simulation results show that these codes can achieve a $6$ dB coding gain over comparable MPPM systems.

Multipulse pulse position modulation (MPPM) has been widely proposed to improve data rate over the traditional pulse position modulation (PPM) in free-space optical communication systems. However, there is no known efficient method of encoding MPPM codewords. Furthermore, MPPM is not the optimal coding scheme (in terms of data rate) given the two main constraints of optical systems (duty cycle and zero runlength). In this work, an improved encoding technique for MPPM is provided as well as an analysis of regions where significant rate gain over MPPM is achievable. A new coding technique based on constrained coding is introduced that allows construction of codes which achieves considerable rate gain over comparable MPPM systems. In addition, our new codes allow for convenient concatenation with an outer-code and are suitable for iterative decoding. Simulation results show that these codes can achieve a $6$ dB coding gain over comparable MPPM systems.

We experimentally demonstrate an eight-state continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) over atmospheric turbulence channels. The high secret key rate (SKR) is enabled by 4-D multiplexing of 96 channels, i.e., six-channel wavelength-division multiplexing, four-channel orbital angular momentum multiplexing, two-channel polarization multiplexing, and two-channel spatial-position multiplexing. The atmospheric turbulence channel is emulated by a spatial light modulator on which a series of azimuthal phase patterns yielding Andrews' spectrum are recorded. A commercial coherent receiver is implemented at Bob's side, followed by a phase noise cancellation stage, where channel transmittance can be monitored accurately and phase noise can be effectively eliminated. Compared to four-state CV-QKD, eight-state CV-QKD protocol potentially provides a better performance by offering higher SKR, better excess noise tolerance, and longer secure transmission distance. In our proposed CV-QKD system, the minimum transmittances of 0.24 and 0.26 are required for OAM states of 2 (or -2) and 6 (or -6), respectively, to guarantee the secure transmission. A maximum SKR of 3.744 Gb/s is experimentally achievable, while a total SKR of 960 Mb/s can be obtained in case of mean channel transmittances.

When using quantum key distribution (QKD), one of the trade-offs for security is that the generation rate of a secret key is typically very low. Recent works have shown that using a weak coherent source allows for higher secret key generation rates compared to an entangled photon source, when a channel with low loss is considered. In most cases, the system that is being studied is over a fiber-optic communication channel. Here a theoretical QKD system using the BB92 protocol and entangled photons over a free-space maritime channel with multiple spatial modes is presented. The entangled photons are generated from a spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) source of type II. To employ multiple spatial modes, the transmit apparatus will contain multiple SPDC sources, all driven by the pump lasers assumed to have the same intensity. The receive apparatuses will contain avalanche photo diodes (APD), modeled based on the NuCrypt CPDS-1000 detector, and located at the focal point of the receive aperture lens. The transmitter is assumed to be located at Alice and Bob will be located 30 km away, implying no channel crosstalk will be introduced in the measurements at Alices side due to turbulence. To help mitigate the effects of atmospheric turbulence, adaptive optics will be considered at the transmitter and the receiver. An eavesdropper, Eve, is located 15 km from Alice and has no control over the devices at Alice or Bob. Eve is performing the intercept resend attack and listening to the communication over the public channel. Additionally, it is assumed that Eve can correct any aberrations caused by the atmospheric turbulence to determine which source the photon was transmitted from. One, four and nine spatial modes are considered with and without applying adaptive optics and compared to one another.

Tato práce se zabývá problematikou optických bezkabelových spojů (FSO). V úvodní kapitole jsou diskutovány přednosti, základní principy a dílčí komponenty FSO spojů. Druhá kapitola se zabývá atmosférou z pohledu šířícího se optického svazku, jejím složením, základními veličinami a jevy v ní nastávajícími. V následující kapitole je popsáno několik metod ke zmírnění jevů majících negativní vliv na kvalitu spoje. Druhá část práce se zabývá návrhem podpůrného systému pro FSO, založeném na softcore mikroprocesoru MicroBlaze, návrhem jednoduchého síťového přepínače a síťového rozhraní. Závěr práce pojednává o implementaci webového serveru a tvorbě webové prezentace umožňující vzdálenou správu FSO a jeho komponent.

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