The Gilles Brassard Laboratory: An Open Research Platform for Secure Quantum-Era Communications
摘要
The advent of quantum computing poses a significant threat to the security of today’s communication networks, making it urgent to protect both current and future data exchanges. While theoretical countermeasures—such as post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD)—exist, these technologies still require substantial development before being integrated into real-world infrastructures. The Gilles Brassard Laboratory (GBL) addresses this challenge by providing a research and development platform dedicated to advancing, testing, and validating key components of quantum-resistant communication systems. The GBL is structured around two main segments: a Quantum Cryptography Infrastructure (QCI) for the implementation and evaluation of PQC and QKD, and a radio communication segment that emulates both terrestrial (LTE/5G/6G) and space-based links (DVB-S, CCSDS, 5G NTN). This dual framework enables researchers and engineers to investigate secure end-to-end communication solutions within a realistic testing environment. Initial use cases demonstrate proof-of-concept validations, including the implementation of secure end-to-end communications by combining QKD technologies with standardized radio link protocols. Transmissions are encoded in accordance with DVB-S and CCSDS transport layers (broadcast mode only), paving the way toward the deployment of secure, future-proof communication networks.