Quantum Limits of LEO Satellite Beacon Reading

Abstract:
We study the quantum limits of the Extremely Low-Resource Optical Identifier beacon concept introduced by Holmes, Weaver, and Palmer. In this concept, a satellite continuously emits a weak optical signal to broadcast its identity. Via analysis of the fundamental limits on communication introduced by Shannon, Gordon, and Holevo, we demonstrate that in such scenarios, incorporating quantum technology into the design of a ground station significantly enhances performance. Specifically, the Time To Read the beacon signal and thereby identify the satellite is greatly reduced in situations where weather conditions obstruct the signal, allowing the Active Time Window — during which the satellite can be utilized for subsequent network operations — to be extended by nearly a factor of 20. In this particular case, the quantum technology concept that is employed is the so-called Joint Detection Receiver, which is a system aiming to operate at the Gordon-Holevo limit by performing joint quantum operations on sequences of incoming signals.