7 research outputs found
EMBEDDING QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY ON DSP-BOARDS
ABSTRACT Quantum cryptography is the only system for key generation that can provably not be tampered by an eavesdropper without being noticed. While its theoretical basis is already reasonably well understood, commercial application is hampered by the lack of ready-to-use embedded encryption systems. In this paper we will describe our hardware solution, developed for setting up an application oriented quantum cryptography embedded-system. QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY Quantum cryptography was born in the late 60's and its intense theoretical treatment began in the 80's and lasts until now. Since then -particularly in the last decade -a huge number of papers dedicated to all aspects of quantum cryptography have been published. A good overview of quantum cryptography can be found in The first experimental realisation was reported in 1989 by C.H. Bennet et al from IBM Research. A detailed description of the first experiments can be found in Motivation (Why Quantum Cryptography?) In spite of the intense interest of researchers around the globe and especially scientists in the USA and Europe, quantum cryptography did not seem to make any essential progress with respect to commercialisation. Different causes can be identified for explanation of this fact, but the main reason was the lack of a pronounced market need. The situation has changed in the last few years. The emerging requirements for technologies stronger than public key cryptography are related to the ever-increasing availability of computing power and the expected advent of quantum computers in the next decade. Quantum computers in particular will render the public key infrastructure paradigm vulnerable, because they will be capable to decrypt in real-time secrets encoded with asymmetric cryptography. Another aspect, which also calls for stronger encryption techniques, is the presence of the global surveillance network ECHELON, maintained by the USA and its allies. (See the EC parliament report [3] for details.) It is proven, that ECHELON was not only used for politically driven espionage, but also for economic one and it has in several occasions caused drastic damages to the European economy. The quoted EC parliament report Principles of Quantum Key Distribution Quantum cryptography uses quantum mechanical effects for simultaneous generation of identical and absolutely random bit sequences at two distinct locations. These sequences are principally not accessible to a third party trying to tamper the procedure and, therefore, they can be used as keys for subsequent encryption. That's why this technology is also often referred to as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). To operate QKD, on the one hand, a direct optical link between the two peers generating the key is required. This link can be either established through a dedicated optical fiber or through a free space line-of-sight connection. On the other hand a channel for public communication is needed, which can be a traditional network connection. The maximum distance, which can be bridged by a practical QKD system is currently limited to 20-100 km due to the unavoidable absorption and noise on the quantum channel. The maximum distance also depends on the method employed, the level of security desired and the expected performance in bits per second
How to enhance quality of higher education research by implementing a network of higher education researchers
The paper sheds a light on the establishment of a national network of higher education research in Austria (henceforth NHERA) focussing on its contribution towards quality enhancement in national higher education research. Through the theoretical lens of the functions and missions of academic associations on the one hand and the theory of quality culture on the other hand, we explore the potentials of nation-al network building for professionalization and innovation in HE studies. Based on this theoretical frame-work, we analyse the actual steps of establishment of NHERA and their (potential) impact. This helps to gain knowledge of the so far reached aims as well as further potential and necessary network shaping to foster its role as agent of national HE research and development
University admission on the basis of non-formally and informally acquired competences
An der Donau-UniversitĂ€t Krems ist der Zugang zu UniversitĂ€tslehrgĂ€ngen mit Masterabschluss nicht auf Personen mit akademischem Erstabschluss beschrĂ€nkt. Wie aber können non-formal und im Arbeitskontext erworbene Kompetenzen der StudienwerberInnen auf eine transparente Art und Weise validiert und anerkannt werden? Und vor allem: Wie gestaltet sich der Studienverlauf dieser Studierendengruppe und erweist sich der erworbene Masterabschluss letztlich auch als karriereförderlich? Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt detaillierte Einblicke in die Zulassungsprozesse der Donau-UniversitĂ€t Krems, in die Zusammensetzung der Studierendengruppe und diskutiert die Ergebnisse einer Befragung von AbsolventInnen. Auch wird ein Blick auf den Masterlehrgang Bildungsmanagement und dessen Studierende geworfen. Hier zeigt sich, dass ĂŒberproportional viele Studierenden ohne Erstabschluss den Lehrgang in Mindeststudien dauer abschlieĂen konnten, ganz besonders jene ohne Matura. Auch profitieren AbsolventInnen ohne akademischen Erstabschluss in ihrer Berufslaufbahn stĂ€rker von einem Studium. (DIPF/Orig.)At Danube University Krems, admission to university masterâs programmes is not limited to people with a prior academic degree. Yet how can competences that programme applicants have acquired non-formally and on the job be validated and recognized in a transparent manner? And above all how is the course of study of this group of students organized and is the masterâs degree ultimately useful to their career? This article provides detailed information about the admission process at Danube University Krems and the composition of the groups of students and discusses the results of a survey of graduates. The masterâs programme Education Management and its students are also examined briefly. It appears that a disproportionately large number of students without a prior academic degree were able to complete the programme within the minimum length of time, especially those without a school-leaving certificate. Graduates without a prior academic degree also benefit greatly in their professional career from having studied. (DIPF/Orig.
QualitÀtskultur. Ein Blick in die gelebte Praxis der Hochschulen. BeitrÀge zur 4. AQ Austria Jahrestagung 2016
Die Publikation zur AQ Austria Jahrestagung 2016 prĂ€sentiert in den einzelnen BeitrĂ€gen vielfĂ€ltige Perspektiven, AnsĂ€tze, Beispiele und Erfahrungen mit QualitĂ€tskultur und ermöglicht somit einen Blick in die gelebte Praxis der QualitĂ€tskultur an Hochschulen. Die Frage, ob wir eine QualitĂ€tskultur brauchen und was dafĂŒr oder dagegen spricht, [wird] in einleitenden Thesen [bearbeitet]. In fĂŒnf Foren wurden Kernfragen in Zusammenhang mit Zweck, Bedingungen und Ausgestaltung der QualitĂ€tskultur diskutiert. Es geht u. a. um das VerstĂ€ndnis und den Stellenwert von QualitĂ€tskultur ,das Wechselspiel mit internen und externen Rahmenbedingungen und um die Frage, wie Einstellungen und Werthaltungen der Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter im Sinne einer QualitĂ€tskultur gefördert werden können. Weitere BeitrĂ€ge befassen sich mit dem VerhĂ€ltnis von QualitĂ€tskultur und externer QualitĂ€tssicherung und damit, wie wirkungsvoll oder auch wirkungslos QualitĂ€tskultur von Hochschulen eingeschĂ€tzt wird. (Autor
Zerstörungsfreie archĂ€ologische Prospektion des römischen Carnuntum : erste Ergebnisse des Forschungsprojekts âArchPro Carnuntumâ
Over the course of four years (2012â2015) the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archeology (LBI ArchPro), in collaboration with the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) and on behalf of the provincial government of Lower Austria, has conducted the comprehensive, non-invasive archaeological prospection project entitled âArchPro Carnuntumâ. The purpose of this project has been to generate a basis for future archaeological research and the sustainable spatial planning and cultural heritage management in the area. By combining new information on buried archaeology using different aerial and ground-based archaeological prospection methods and a thorough archaeological interpretation of the combined data within the framework of a GIS environment, it was possible to document Carnuntumâs archaeological heritage, which is threatened by a dramatic increase in erosion and destruction through ploughing, infrastructure development and looting by treasure hunters. In total, an area covering eight square kilometres was explored at very high sampling resolution using magnetic prospection methods, while 2.5 square kilometres were mapped with ultra-high resolution ground-penetrating radar measurements. The results of the project and the spatio-temporal analysis and interpretation of the prospection data are presented here as a preliminary report