IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,309,265
Granted Patent B2
US 12,309,265 · App. 18/442,212 · Granted May 20, 2025

Quantum communication system that switches between quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols and associated methods

Inventors: Victor G. Bucklew (Richmond, VA); James A. Nagel (Fort Wayne, IN); Michael R. Lange (Melbourne, FL)
Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
H04L9/0852H04B10/70H04L9/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,309,265
App. No.
18/442,212
Granted
May 20, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A quantum communications system includes a communications system that operates with a quantum key distribution (QKD) system, which includes a transmitter node, a receiver node, and a quantum communications channel coupling the transmitter node and receiver node. The transmitter node may be configured to transmit to the receiver node a bit stream of optical pulses, and switch between first and second QKD protocols based upon at least one channel condition.

Claims (41)

1. A quantum communications system comprising:

a communications system; and

a quantum key distribution (QKD) system operable with the communications system and comprising a transmitter node, a receiver node, and a quantum communications channel coupling the transmitter node and receiver node;

the transmitter node configured to

transmit optical pulses to the receiver node, and

switch between different QKD protocols based upon a channel condition and a time period.

2. The quantum communications system of claim 1 wherein the time period comprises a time of day.

3. The quantum communications system of claim 1 wherein the time period comprises a season of the year.

4. The quantum communications system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter node comprises a switch for switching between the different QKD protocols.

5. The quantum communications system of claim 4 wherein the transmitter node comprises a channel monitoring device configured to monitor for the channel condition and operate the switch responsive thereto.

6. The quantum communications system of claim 1 wherein the transmitter node comprises a continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD) protocol device for generating a first QKD protocol, and a discrete-variable QKD (DV-QKD) protocol device for generating a second QKD protocol.

7. The quantum communications system of claim 1 wherein the quantum communications channel comprises a free-space optical (FSO) communications channel.

8. The quantum communications system of claim 7 wherein the channel condition comprises a link distance for the FSO optical communications channel.

9. The quantum communications system of claim 8 wherein the transmitter node switches when the link distance exceeds a threshold.

10. The quantum communications system of claim 1 wherein the channel condition is based upon at least one of a weather condition and an atmospheric condition.

11. A quantum key distribution (QKD) system comprising:

a transmitter node, a receiver node, and a quantum communications channel coupling the transmitter node and receiver node; and

the transmitter node configured to

transmit optical pulses to the receiver node, and

switch between different QKD protocols based upon a channel condition and a time period.

12. The QKD system of claim 11 wherein the time period comprises a time of day.

13. The QKD system of claim 11 wherein the time period comprises a season of the year.

14. The QKD system of claim 11 wherein the transmitter node comprises a switch for switching between the different QKD protocols.

15. The QKD system of claim 14 wherein the transmitter node comprises a channel monitoring device configured to monitor for the channel condition and operate the switch responsive thereto.

16. The QKD system of claim 11 wherein the transmitter node comprises a continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD) protocol device for generating a first QKD protocol, and a discrete-variable QKD (DV-QKD) protocol device for generating a second QKD protocol.

17. The QKD system of claim 11 wherein the quantum communications channel comprises a free-space optical (FSO) communications channel.

18. The QKD system of claim 17 wherein the channel condition comprises a link distance for the FSO optical communications channel.

19. The QKD system of claim 18 wherein the transmitter node switches when the link distance exceeds a threshold.

20. The QKD system of claim 11 wherein the channel condition is based upon at least one of a weather condition and a atmospheric condition.

21. A method of operating a quantum communications system comprising a communications system and a quantum key distribution (QKD) system operable therewith, the QKD system comprising a transmitter node, a receiver node, and a quantum communications channel coupling the transmitter node and receiver node, the method comprising:

operating the transmitter node to transmit optical pulses to the receiver node; and

switching the transmitter node between different QKD protocols based upon a channel condition and a time period.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the time period comprises a time of day.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the time period comprises a season of the year.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the transmitter node comprises a switch for switching between the different QKD protocols.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the transmitter node comprises a channel monitoring device configured to monitor for the channel condition and operate the switch responsive thereto.

26. The method of claim 21 wherein the transmitter node comprises a continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD) protocol device for generating a first QKD protocol, and a discrete-variable QKD (DV-QKD) protocol device for generating a second QKD protocol.

27. The method of claim 21 wherein the quantum communications channel comprises a free-space optical (FSO) communications channel.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the channel condition comprises a link distance for the FSO optical communications channel.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the transmitter node switches when the link distance exceeds a threshold.

30. The method of claim 21 wherein the channel condition is based upon at least one of a weather condition and an atmospheric condition.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2024
From: BUCKLEW, VICTOR G.; NAGEL, JAMES A.; LANGE, MICHAEL R.
To: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 066469/0135 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17851769 · Jun 28, 2022
Continuation 16658398 · Oct 21, 2019
Related Publication 20250080336A1 · Mar 6, 2025
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