[ad_1]
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), part of the Abu Dhabi Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has announced the commissioning of the Abu Dhabi Quantum Optical Ground Station (ADQOGS). This state-of-the-art facility, the first in the Arab world and the largest in the Middle East and North Africa, is dedicated to developing secure free-space optical communications.
The station will seamlessly integrate Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE into the global Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network. As one of the most mature quantum communication technologies, QKD achieves secure and private communication by using quantum signals to establish encryption keys that cannot be tampered with or intercepted.
While current fiber optic infrastructure is suitable for hosting metro QKD networks over distances up to 100 kilometers, significant signal losses in long-distance fiber connections make global-scale fiber-based quantum networks impractical. To bridge international distances, architectures based on free-space optical transmission between satellites and ground-based receivers are currently the only feasible solutions.
ADQOGS will ensure regional connectivity and serve as the home base for future-proof secure networks providing ultra-secure key material in the UAE. The announcement further demonstrates TII’s ability to collaborate with the global research community, building on its existing partnerships, such as with the National University of Singapore’s Center for Quantum Technologies.
Located at the Al Sadeem Observatory in Al Wathba, the 2,363-square-meter facility houses a fully automated astronomical dome housing an 800 mm diameter tracking telescope, control room and an advanced weather station for sky monitoring and scintillation estimation. Complementing these facilities, a supporting platform will be provided to accommodate local and international portable optical ground stations, thereby promoting collaboration in the industry.
ADQOGS is located at the heart of the facility and is equipped with a TII-designed multifunctional quantum acquisition and tracking system. The fully automatic quantum receiver module can detect quantum signals in the wavelength range of 760nm to 860nm, and the unique optical system design ensures compatibility with various uplink and downlink beacons, supporting wavelengths from 680nm to 1,600nm. High-throughput optical modulation scheme.
Speaking at the ADQOGS opening ceremony, Dr. Ray O Johnson, CEO of TII, said: “The opening of ADQOGS goes far beyond identifying and implementing disruptive technologies, but to foster centers of innovation and knowledge. Our facilities embody the promise of quantum technology. Pinnacle, while serving as a training center of excellence, helping to nurture the emerging quantum technology industry in the UAE. For a relatively young entity like ours, I am proud that we are actively shaping the future of secure data transmission globally.”
Dr. James Grieve, Senior Director of the TII Quantum Research Center, said: “ADQOGS marks an important milestone in the UAE’s pursuit of technological leadership. The station prioritizes technological sovereignty in quantum communications and will enhance the country’s growing credentials in advanced technology and innovation. reliability, making the UAE a global center for quantum research and development.”
As part of ATRC’s vision to transform Abu Dhabi’s economic landscape, ADQOGS is committed to fast-tracking commercialization opportunities for secure communications technology and expanding its applications in areas such as telecommunications, data centers, finance and critical infrastructure. The station will bridge the gap between quantum research and practical applications while advancing the UAE’s quantum-secure communications infrastructure.
[ad_2]
Source link