Clock Synchronization for Drone-Based Entanglement Quantum Key Distribution

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2506.07831v1
• Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:54:12 GMT
• Title: Clock Synchronization for Drone-Based Entanglement Quantum Key Distribution
• Authors: Jinquan Huang, Bangying Tang, Hui Han, JianJi Yi, Bo Xu, Chunqing Wu, Xiangwei Zhu, Wanrong Yu, Huicun Yu, Jiahao Li, Shihai Sun, Bo Liu,
• Abstract summary: Drone-based entanglement distribution provides full coverage for quantum networks, enabling quantum key distribution (QKD) in dynamic environments.<n>Our protocol enables drone-based entanglement distribution, paving the way for seamless precision of wide-area and local-area quantum internet.
• Score: 12.241567591136695
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: Drone-based entanglement distribution provides full spatiotemporal coverage for quantum networks, enabling quantum key distribution (QKD) in dynamic environments. The security of QKD fundamentally depends on high-fidelity quantum state measurements, for which high-precision clock synchronization is indispensable, as timing jitter is inversely correlated with quantum state fidelity. However, drone-based clock synchronization is constrained by SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) limitations and dynamic mobility effects. Here, we propose a synchronization protocol for drone-based entanglement distribution, leveraging nanosecond-accurate Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) timing and entanglement-based timing correction to overcome SWaP constraints. Experimental results demonstrate 24 ps RMS synchronization in simulated free-space quantum channels with distance dynamics, without requiring precision reference clock. Our protocol enables drone-based entanglement distribution, paving the way for seamless wide-area and local-area quantum internet.

Related papers

• Quantum Skyshield: Quantum Key Distribution and Post-Quantum Authentication for Low-Altitude Wireless Networks in Adverse Skies [36.14072181405793]
  Low-altitude wireless networks (LAWNs) have emerged as a critical backbone for supporting the low-altitude economy.<n>To meet growing data demands, some LAWN deployments incorporate free-space optical (FSO) links, which offer exceptional bandwidth and beam directivity.<n>Quantum Skyshield is proposed to enable reliable communication between the base transceiver station (BTS) and LAWN.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-07-20T04:43:33Z)
• Crosstalk-Resilient Quantum MIMO for Scalable Quantum Communications [40.44880302154388]
  Crosstalk arises when physically coupled quantum modes interfere, degrading signal fidelity.<n>We propose a mitigation strategy based on encoding discrete-variable quantum information into continuous-variable modes.<n>We prove the existence of a gauge-fixing decoder enabling recovery of the logical information.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-06-26T18:40:26Z)
• Towards a function-scalable quantum network with multiplexed energy-time entanglement [6.456652064295438]
  We showcase a compatible and complementary implementation of two distinct quantum applications, quantum time synchronization and quantum cryptography, by multiplexing the same energy-time entangled biphotons and quantum channel.<n>A proof-of-principle experiment between two independent nodes across a 120 km fiber-optic link is demonstrated.<n>Thanks to the compatibility, potential asymmetric delay attacks in the link, which are detrimental to the accomplishment of secure key distribution, can be effectively mitigated.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-02-12T14:07:04Z)
• Entanglement-based clock syntonization for quantum key distribution networks. Demonstration over a 50 km-long link [0.0]
  We present the implementation of a time synchronization protocol as part of an experimentally deployed entanglement-based quantum key distribution link.<n>The system is deployed over 48 km of optical fibers across the M'etropole Cote d'Azur.<n>We exploit the time correlation of paired photons generated by a high-quality source of energy-time entanglement to synchronize two rubidium clocks located at the end stations.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-01-28T08:56:13Z)
• Dissipation-induced Quantum Homogenization for Temporal Information Processing [44.99833362998488]
  Quantum reservoirs have great potential as they utilize the complex real-time dissipative dynamics of quantum systems for information processing and target time-series generation without precise control or fine-tuning of the Hamiltonian parameters.<n>We propose the disordered quantum homogenizer as an alternative platform, and prove it satisfies the necessary and sufficient conditions - stability and contractivity - of the reservoir dynamics.<n>The results indicate that the quantum homogenization protocol, physically implementable as either nuclear magnetic resonance ensemble or a photonic system, can potentially function as a reservoir computer.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-12-13T09:05:41Z)
• Qubit-based distributed frame synchronization for quantum key distribution [9.43392013925968]
  We propose a qubit-based distributed frame synchronization method that can achieve time recovery in a continuously running system. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the advanced qubit-based synchronization method Qubit4Sync. We believe our method is applicable to a broad range of QKD scenarios, including drone-based QKD and quantum network construction.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-08-25T03:17:43Z)
• Harnessing high-dimensional temporal entanglement using limited interferometric setups [41.94295877935867]
  We develop the first complete analysis of high-dimensional entanglement in the polarization-time-domain. We show how to efficiently certify relevant density matrix elements and security parameters for Quantum Key Distribution. We propose a novel setup that can further enhance the noise resistance of free-space quantum communication.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-08-08T17:44:43Z)
• Quantum Federated Learning with Entanglement Controlled Circuits and Superposition Coding [44.89303833148191]
  We develop a depth-controllable architecture of entangled slimmable quantum neural networks (eSQNNs) We propose an entangled slimmable QFL (eSQFL) that communicates the superposition-coded parameters of eS-QNNs. In an image classification task, extensive simulations corroborate the effectiveness of eSQFL.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-12-04T03:18:03Z)
• Quantum Clock Synchronization for Future NASA Deep Space Quantum Links and Fundamental Science [0.0]
  We propose the implementation of a quantum network of satellite- and ground-based clocks with the ability to implement Quantum Clock Synchronization to picosecond accuracy.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-09-29T22:38:50Z)
• Global Time Distribution via Satellite-Based Sources of Entangled Photons [0.0]
  We propose a satellite-based scheme to perform clock synchronization between ground stations spread across the globe using quantum resources. We consider a small constellation of nanosatellites equipped only with modest resources. We conclude that with such a scheme establishing a global network of ground based clocks synchronized to sub-nanosecond level (up to a few picoseconds) of precision, would be feasible.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-09-29T19:43:03Z)
• DNN-assisted Particle-based Bayesian Joint Synchronization and Localization [42.077355130261715]
  We propose a Deep neural network-assisted Particle Filter-based (DePF) approach to address the Mobile User (MU) joint synchronization and localization (sync&loc) problem in ultra dense networks. DePF deploys an asymmetric time-stamp exchange mechanism between the MUs and the Access Points (APs), which, traditionally, provides us with information about the MUs' clock offset and skew. To perform joint sync&loc, DePF capitalizes on particle Gaussian mixtures that allow for a hybrid particle-based and parametric Bayesian Recursive Filtering (BRF) fusion.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-09-29T08:58:31Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.