Quantum Authentication via Location-Selected Pre-Shared Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems lack effective methods for user authentication and quantum bit error rate (QBER) estimation in quantum communication systems, particularly in the presence of eavesdropping, and there is a need for secure and efficient authentication processes.
Innovation Solution
A method for user authentication in quantum communication systems using a pre-shared symmetric key, involving a random access procedure, QBER estimation, and error rate calculations to ensure secure communication and identify eavesdropping, utilizing both classical and quantum channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user authentication and QBER estimation are performed separately using traditional methods, then security can be maintained, but processing time increases and system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines user authentication and QBER estimation into a single integrated process by using the same checking sequence for both purposes. The transmitting end generates a checking sequence based on a pre-shared key, shares it with the receiving end, and both ends use this sequence simultaneously for authentication verification and error rate estimation, eliminating the need for separate processes and reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The checking sequence serves multiple functions: it acts as both an authentication code for verifying user identity and as a test sequence for estimating the quantum bit error rate. This multi-functional use of a single sequence improves system efficiency by reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and processed separately.
2Productivity
If location-based authentication using pre-shared symmetric keys is implemented, then authentication speed improves, but system complexity increases due to key management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses location information to pre-select which pre-shared symmetric key should be used for authentication before the actual authentication process begins. The system maintains multiple pre-shared keys associated with different locations, and the user's location determines which key pair is activated, enabling fast authentication without requiring complex real-time key generation or selection during the authentication process.
3Productivity
If the same checking sequence is used for both authentication and QBER estimation, then processing efficiency improves, but security risks increase if the sequence is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the checking sequence by applying different processing operations to generate authentication codes and QBER estimation data from the same base sequence. The transmitting end and receiving end use the same checking sequence but process it differently based on their respective pre-shared keys and local computations, ensuring that compromising the sequence alone is insufficient for authentication without the corresponding pre-shared key.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method of performing a user authentication in a quantum communication system. More specifically, the method includes transmitting, to the receiving end, an information sequence including at least one data block on the quantum channel, wherein based on (i) a preshared key between the transmitting end and the receiving end and (ii) at least one key generated based on the preshared key, a checking sequence for a quantum bit error rate (QBER) estimation for determining whether there is an eavesdropping on the quantum channel is determined from each of the at least one data block, wherein the preshared key is used to select a location of a sequence to be used for the user authentication among sequences included in a specific data block related to the user authentication among the at least one data block; performing the user authentication with the receiving end based on a portion of the checking sequence determined from each of the at least one data block; and performing the QBER estimation with the receiving end based on i) a result of the user authentication and (ii) a remaining checking sequence excluding the portion of the checking sequence determined from each of the at least one data block. (i) a user authentication error rate calculated based on the portion of the checking sequence used for the user authentication and determined from each of the at least one data block and (ii) a QBER estimation error rate calculated based on the remaining checking sequence excluding the portion of the checking sequence determined from each of the at least one data block are used for the QBER estimation.