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Frame synchronization method for QKD systems

  • US 7,539,314 B2
  • Filed: 08/14/2006
  • Issued: 05/26/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of managing quantum signal transmission in a quantum key distribution (QKD) system having QKD stations Bob and Alice using frame synchronization, comprising:

  • forming a stream of quantum signals at Alice;

    sending a first ready signal from Bob to Alice that defines a start of a first frame of multiple frames each consisting of a set of encoded quantum signals;

    performing a first encoding of the quantum signals at Alice and transmitting the first-encoded quantum signals to Bob in the first frame;

    performing a second encoding of the first-encoded quantum signals at Bob and detecting the twice-encoded quantum signals at Bob for the first frame;

    at Alice, terminating the first encoding of the quantum signals at Alice at the end of the first frame while continuing to form quantum signals that are not included in a subsequent frame;

    sending a second ready signal from Bob to Alice to initiate at Alice the first-encoding of quantum signals to form the subsequent frame of encoded quantum signals;

    synchronizing the sending of frames of encoded quantum signals from Alice to Bob by sending synchronization signals from Alice to Bob; and

    performing qubit indexing that assigns a frame number to each frame and a qubit position of each encoded qubit within each frame.

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