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  6. Strengthening Quantum Key Distribution with Addressable Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) and Ternary States

Strengthening Quantum Key Distribution with Addressable Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) and Ternary States

Description

The technology enhances the security of existing quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols with the use of a ternary or binary arithmetic conversion, along with shared keys between communicating parties. Without noticing, the eavesdropping party is prevented from eavesdropping on the stream of qubit. With this technology, the receiving party can detect eavesdropping attacks without exchanging the content of the transmitted data stream with the transmitting party. Furthermore, addressable physically unclonable function (PUF) technology is exploited to design protocols that safely exchange shared keys. Addressable PUF generators (APGs) are designed to share key schemes between transmitting parties that are tamper-resistant and have very low power.

Additional information

Patent number and inventor

16/372,231

Bertrand Cambou

Potential applications

This technology is designed for use with cryptography and cybersecurity.

Benefits and advantages

The aim of the technology is to eliminate the need to share a sample of the qubits stream transmitted, with bases aligned, to detect an eavesdropping party. The technology implements PUFs for QKD. The combination of QKD with ternary cryptography and addressable PUFs allows the design of key distribution protocols, strengthening existing key distribution protocols. These protocols detect eavesdropping without exchanging any portion of the key transmitted through QKD.

Case number and licensing status

2018-033

This invention is available for licensing.