Scotland will host a new facility to help researchers develop encrypted quantum secure communications systems.

The new state-of-the-art optical ground station (OGS) will be built at Errol Aerodrome, a former WWII RAF airfield between Dundee and Perth.

The research facility will be developed as part of the Quantum Communications Hub project, funded through the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme. It aims to deliver quantum security at all distance scales, including intercontinentally via satellite.

It will also support future R&D missions and collaboration with international partners.

Quantum secure communications are designed to overcome the threat of cyberattacks, enabling secure transmission of information.

The principle behind quantum secure communications is simple. Information is encrypted and sent over a conventional network to its source. But the key to decrypt the information is encoded as photons in a state of superposition.

This means that each photon can take on multiple states. They only collapse into a single state, revealing the key, when they are observed.

As such, should someone intercept the key needed to decrypt the data, the receiver would know.

However, current methods using terrestrial fibre links are limited by the distance each quantum signal can travel. Using satellites will allow quantum communications to be sent securely all over the world.

The OGS is an essential component of space quantum communications, along with the satellite, quantum signal transmitter (payload) on the satellite, and the quantum signal receiver attached to the OGS on the ground.

The site, located on the bank of the river Tay, was selected by the research team due to its potential for a high rate of quantum (encryption) key generation from the satellite communications.

The Hub’s OGS (HOGS) will use a reflective 70cm telescope to track the low-Earth orbit satellite path with high precision.

Both HOGS and the satellite will employ laser beacons to accurately point towards each other. Once they are precisely aligned, the quantum communications will commence. When not in operation, HOGS will be protected from the elements by a robotic dome cover, which will also allow the team to roadmap remote activity.

The Errol OGS project is a joint venture between Hub researchers at Heriot-Watt University and Dundee Satellite Station.

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Dr Ross Donaldson from Heriot-Watt University, who led the site proposal, said: “I am thrilled that the Heriot-Watt University and Dundee Satellite Station Ltd. partnership was chosen to host the Hub’s Optical Ground Station. Heriot-Watt University has world leading expertise in quantum communications and the enabling technologies behind it.

“The addition of HOGS will place Heriot-Watt University at the forefront of satellite quantum communications research, enabling engagement with future missions from national and international teams. Steps are already underway to build on this capability, through further research investment and engagement with UK-based industry.”

Once operational, the HOGS will be used by researchers directly involved in the Hub’s satellite R&D programme of work and based at multiple partner institutions – University of Bristol, Heriot-Watt University, Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, University of Strathclyde, and University of York.

Other UK researchers with relevant interests in experimental satellite quantum communications will be invited to work onsite.

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