The LaiQa Project consortium has published an open-access dataset on Zenodo titled:
“DS3 Intra-campus and Inter-campus FSO links characterization campaign for polarization-encoded QKD – LAIQA_WP8_V1.0”
The dataset presents power monitoring measurements collected during a Free-Space Optical (FSO) link characterization campaign focused on polarization-encoded Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) applications.
The experimental campaign was carried out at the National Technical University of Athens using a 0.5 km FSO link established between the rooftops of the New and Old Buildings of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The setup provided a clear line-of-sight environment suitable for evaluating atmospheric effects on optical signal transmission.
Measurements were conducted on July 4th, 2024, and included both daytime and nighttime monitoring sessions:
- Nighttime session: 00:06 a.m. – 00:31 a.m.
- Daylight session: 11:16 a.m. – 11:28 a.m.
The dataset captures optical power variability caused by several real-world phenomena that affect free-space optical communications, including:
- Atmospheric scintillation
- Beam wander
- Thermal gradients
- Mechanical instabilities
- Potential misalignment events
Importantly, the measurements were performed without stabilization techniques such as beam steering, enabling researchers to observe the natural behavior and fluctuations of the optical link under realistic operating conditions.
In addition to the raw measurement data, the publication includes documentation and processing guidelines through a dedicated README file. Demonstrative results generated from truncated time windows are also provided to support researchers working on optical communications, atmospheric channel characterization, and quantum networking technologies.
By openly sharing this dataset, the LaiQa Project continues to support collaboration, reproducibility, and innovation within the European quantum communications ecosystem.
🔗 Dataset access:
https://zenodo.org/records/15776230
