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Quantum Optics Discovery (QOD) Lab

Enabling Collaborative Research

The QOD Lab Infrastructure provides a collaborative research environment with advanced lab facilities to study the effects of atmospheric propagation on quantum and classical optical communications. It also serves as a testbed for next-generation quantum communication platforms, enabling cutting-edge developments in the field.

Additionally, the infrastructure includes real-world facilities designed to support testing via satellite communications, connecting the East of England to the Scottish Space Cluster.

Quantum Optics Discovery (QOD) Lab

Providing the UK’s largest indoor optical research test range and a SatComms connection to the Scottish optical ground station.

Watch our video to find out more

The QOD Lab provides:

  • The UK’s largest indoor optical research test range
  • SatComms connecting the East of England to Scottish optical ground stations.

It also enables:

  • Lab facilities to research the effects atmospheric propagation on quantum and classical optics communications​
  • Test-bed for next generation quantum communication platforms
  • Real world facilities to test via SatComms connection from East of England to the Scottish Space Cluster

In more detail

The Quantum Optics Discovery Lab (QOD Lab) is the UK's largest indoor optical research test range focused on Earth-to-Space optical research. Located at BT's Adastral Park in Suffolk, the facility is a collaborative research infrastructure to accelerate growth and capability in optical and quantum communications between industry and academia.

The 15-meter indoor optical range includes modular atmospheric simulation, with controlled temperature variation, air flow, rain and fog emulation. The optical range will replicate real-world atmospheric conditions at a range of expected ground stations in the UK and internationally for testing next generation ground station and satellite communication systems.

Associated with the QOD Lab, two optical ground stations in East England and Scotland will enable end-to-end testing of optical and quantum communication systems. Ground stations provide optical and quantum communications backends compatible with international satellite missions.

The optical range will replicate real-world atmospheric conditions at a range of expected ground stations in the UK and internationally for testing next generation ground station and satellite communication systems. It includes:

  • UK’s largest indoor optical test range
  • 15-metre free space optics turbulence simulator
  • Turbulence in vertical and horizontal paths
  • Dynamic atmospheric simulation
  • Modular rain, fog, temperature, wind control
  • CFD-defined in-lab simulation of real-world scenarios

Our Quantum Optical ground stations in the East England and Scotland will enable end-to-end testing of optical and quantum communication systems. This includes:

  • QKD capability links to QEYSSAT and QKDSat
  • Optical Comms capability up to 2.5 Gbps
  • Reconfigurable beam line to many mission capability
  • QEYSSAT and QKDSat transceivers
  • Atmospheric characterisations
  • Dedicated space compound, Low horizon profile
  • Controlled access, power, back-up

The QOD Lab brings together leading researchers, industry pioneers, and innovative startups in a collaborative environment. We provide access to specialised equipment and expert knowledge, supported by partnerships with key industry and academic institutions.

Project Partners

With support from:

Funded by UKSA as part of their Space Clusters infrastructure Fund:

For enquiries, please contact: QODLab@uos.ac.uk