29 December 2021 Design of Gaussian modulator for continuous-variable quantum key distribution
Xiunan Sun, Liang Hao
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

The continuous-variable quantum key distribution experimental system requires the randomness and speed of a Gaussian modulator. We present the hardware design for a Gaussian random number (GRN) generator based on the Box–Muller method, which can be implemented on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). An external high-speed true random number generator application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is used to this end. The ASIC operates faster and more independently compared with other Gaussian algorithms based on a linear feedback shift register. The trigonometric and logarithmic functions are calculated using the nonuniform piecewise linear approximation. The calculation of the Gaussian random modulus and phase value is realized using this hardware. Compared with an arbitrary waveform generator, the GRN can be uploaded to a computer to estimate the security key rate. Furthermore, the GRN generator accurately provides a Gaussian probability density function that passes the Jarque–Bera inspection and Lilliefors tests. The proposed FPGA-based system is demonstrated to convert eight-channel 320-Mbps uniform random numbers to 40-MHz 16-bit GRN in real time. Finally, the control of the optical module and Gaussian modulation is realized via the FPGA-based outputs of four dual-channel, 16-bit, 1-giga samples per second digital-to-analog converters.

© 2021 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) 0091-3286/2021/$28.00 © 2021 SPIE
Xiunan Sun and Liang Hao "Design of Gaussian modulator for continuous-variable quantum key distribution," Optical Engineering 61(1), 014101 (29 December 2021). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.61.1.014101
Received: 5 June 2021; Accepted: 10 December 2021; Published: 29 December 2021
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Cited by 1 scholarly publication.
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KEYWORDS
Modulators

Quantum key distribution

Clocks

Field programmable gate arrays

Optical engineering

Modulation

Analog electronics

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