ISRO, Like DRDO, Achieves Quantum Communication: What Is Quantum Key Distribution

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that it has been successful in demonstrating free-space Quantum Communication over a distance of 300 metres. The demonstration, which was conducted at Space Applications Centre (SAC) between two line-of-sight buildings within the campus, included a live video conferencing using quantum-key-encrypted signals.

“A number of key technologies were developed indigenously to accomplish this major feat, which included the use of indigenously developed NAVIC receiver for time synchronization between the transmitter and receiver modules, and gimbal mechanism systems instead of bulky large-aperture telescopes for optical alignment,” said a statement from ISRO.

A similar announcement was made by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) a few months ago. DRDO developed Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology recently underwent trials in Hyderabad between two DRDO labs, Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) and Research Centre Imarat (RCI), to show secure communication.

What is the Quantum Key Distribution Technology Demonstrated by ISRO and DRDO

The Quantum Key Distribution underpins Quantum Communication technology that basically ensures unconditional data security. This communication is considered extremely secure as two parties produce a shared random secret key, which only they have knowledge of and can be used to encrypt or decrypt messages. The communication technology is considered to be extremely secure as it is possible for the two communication parties to detect the presence of any intruders trying to gain knowledge of the key.

Furthermore, this technology is also considered future-proof as it is unlikely for any future advancements in computational power to be able to break the quantum-cryptosystem. “The conventional cryptosystems used for data-encryption rely on the complexity of mathematical algorithms, whereas the security offered by quantum communication is based on the laws of Physics,” adds ISRO.

What ISRO and DRDO Aim at Doing through Quantum Key Distribution

DRDO aims at enabling start-ups and SMEs in the domain of Quantum information technologies as well as to serve to define standards and crypto policies that can leverage Quantum Key Distribution system in a unified Cipher Policy Committee (CPC) framework for more secure and pragmatic key management for current and future military cryptographic systems. ISRO, on the other hand, aims at demonstrating Satellite Based Quantum Communication (SBQC) and is also gearing up to demonstrate the technology between two Indian ground stations.