A flow field informed optimization scheme for airborne quantum key distribution with boundary layer effects

Abstract

The performance of QKD systems in airborne environments is significantly hindered by optical distortions and perturbations caused by the boundary layer around high-speed aircraft. This paper proposes an optimization scheme to enhance airborne QKD system performance by analyzing the flow field around the transmitter and strategically positioning it under specific flow conditions. Using ray tracing and two distinct airborne QKD models, we evaluate system performance across various installation positions. Our results show that the largest beam deflection occurs when the transmitter is placed at the center of the wing in air-to-ground scenarios, while the QBER remains consistent across different wing positions, indicating minimal boundary layer effects on QBER. In air-to-air scenarios, optimizing the quantum source placement reduces the photon offset by 6.3 m, with QBER consistently measured at 6% ± 1% across wing positions. These findings offer critical insights for the design and deployment of QKD systems in practical airborne applications.