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
• 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.

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