Nowadays, high security levels are required to transmit critical information for government, private and personal sectors. As a countermeasure, the Quantum Key Distribution systems are the best option in order to protect this information because it provides unconditional security. In addition, increasing the transmission distance is a highlight. Therefore, the Free-Space Optical Quantum Key Distribution systems (FSO-QKD) present an innovative way for sharing secure information between two parties located at ground stations, spacecraft or aircraft. However, these scenarios present several challenges regarding the hardware, protocols and techniques used that must be solved in order to enhance the performance parameters (security level, distance link, final secret key rate, among others) for any QKD system; although, in particular, a high transmission performance is required for both the classical and quantum channels. These issues impose the roadmap and trends in the research, academic and manufacturing sectors around the world.
Part of the book: Quantum Cryptography in Advanced Networks
In this chapter, several systems engineering tools are presented and analyzed to determine shortcomings of these tools to improve the efficiency and efficacy of them working together in a modified design thinking methodology framework for space systems management. The space systems projects impose a high risk in all its stages, so that it is very important to reduce errors as possible based on activities that ensure the adequate project performance. Finally, specific systems engineering tools are used in particular stages and sub-stages of the proposal design thinking framework depending on the shortcomings and strengths of each one. This proposal framework accelerates the conventional process for a space project that usually requires a lot of resources and it is not suitable for both emerging countries and space agencies.
Part of the book: Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma