Satellite-based quantum key distribution enables quantum-secured communication on a global scale. There are international efforts underway to build and launch satellites capable of Quantum Key Distribution (‘QKD’) e.g. the QUARC, QEYSSat, Micius and SpooQy-1 missions. 
These QKD satellites work with a network of Optical Ground Stations (OGSs) to receive optical signals and distribute cryptographic keys to end users. However, OGSs near metropolitan centres are often subject to high levels of light pollution and suffer from restricted clear lines of sight to the satellite. Further, static ground stations are severely limited by local meteorological conditions. A mobile OGS is not subject to these restrictions and can be used to distribute keys flexibly. This may be useful when performing site surveys in order to derive realistic data on expected key rates and meteorological/geographic conditions. We present our progress towards field-demonstrations of QKD using our mobile OGS to receive both a beacon signal and quantum signal. This OGS is designed to work with our industry lead 6U and research focused 12 U QKD CubeSats.


Field Demonstration of A Mobile Optical Ground Station for CubeSat Quantum Key Distribution

Satellite-based quantum key distribution enables quantum-secured communication on a global scale. There are international efforts underway to build and launch satellites capable of Quantum Key Distribution (‘QKD’) e.g. the QUARC, QEYSSat, Micius and SpooQy-1 missions. 
These QKD satellites work with a network of Optical Ground Stations (OGSs) to receive optical signals and distribute cryptographic keys to end users. However, OGSs near metropolitan centres are often subject to high levels of light pollution and suffer from restricted clear lines of sight to the satellite. Further, static ground stations are severely limited by local meteorological conditions. A mobile OGS is not subject to these restrictions and can be used to distribute keys flexibly. This may be useful when performing site surveys in order to derive realistic data on expected key rates and meteorological/geographic conditions. We present our progress towards field-demonstrations of QKD using our mobile OGS to receive both a beacon signal and quantum signal. This OGS is designed to work with our industry lead 6U and research focused 12 U QKD CubeSats.

Field Demonstration Of A Mobile Optical Ground Station For CubeSat Quantum Key Distribution

Poster session 1 & networking on Gathertown

poster

**BQIT is a three day annual workshop** aimed at enabling leading UK and international academics and industrial partners to come together; to explore and discuss future ambitions and challenges in the field of **Quantum Information Technologies.** Since our conception in 2014 we have had 230 speakers and panellists who have presented their work and opinions on a range of topics, from quantum theory to innovation in industry.


### Welcome Message
The BQIT:21 team welcomes you to the eighth Bristol Quantum Information Technologies workshop! 

Last year was the first time in our workshop's history that we had gone fully virtual. The global circumstances that continue to impact us all professionally and personally have forced BQIT once again to be delivered as an all-virtual workshop for 2021. The access this creates to colleagues across the world who would otherwise be unable to join us, as well as being able to make the workshop free for all attendees due to the lower costs involved in delivering an online workshop, are just a couple of the extraordinary benefits of meeting online. This also means that we can welcome three times as many attendees to BQIT than previous years.   

We take this opportunity to thank each of our speakers and poster presenters for contributing their technical content, this year's sponsors, whose support this year enabled BQIT:21 to be free to all attendees, and to all of our attendees for joining us online this year. We recognise the extra energy required to stay connected and motivated during these difficult times, and are hugely encouraged to see so many of you willing to continue to connect with us on an online platform. 

It is our hope that you have a productive and enjoyable time while you engage and interact with BQIT:21, and to everyone that has helped take BQIT:21 online, thank you! 

**The BQIT board and organisation team **


![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/a12e0c1ad3410144cb48557690e4ecaf.png)
### This year's workshop agenda is available here: [Virtual BQIT:21](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QwsSM0ztnxC_lgUKf3TbO3GvnI44AQkY/view?usp=sharing)
For further information, please contact us at: **bqit-admin@bristol.ac.uk**

![](https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/a12e0c1ad3410144cb48557690e4ecaf.png)

Bristol Quantum Information Technologies Workshop



**Session Chair:** Siddarth Joshi (University of Bristol)

**Speaker:** Eleni Diamanti (CNRS & Sorbonne University)  
**Speaker:** Stefanie Barz (University of Stuttgart)  
**Speaker:** Antia Lamas Linares (SpeQtral)  
**Speaker:** Beatrice Da Lio (Copenhagen University)  
**Speaker:** Naomi Solomons (University of Bristol)  
**Speaker:** Elliott Hastings (University of Bristol)  
**Sponsor Demo:** Quix  


Elliott Hastings

2

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Field Demonstration of A Mobile Optical Ground Station for CubeSat Quantum Key Distribution

Field Demonstration Of A Mobile Optical Ground Station For CubeSat Quantum Key Distribution

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