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Radar Sensor Technology

Distributed quantum radar (Conference Presentation)

Marco O. Lanzagorta, Jeffrey K. Uhlmann, Salvador Elías Venegas-Andraca, Oliverio Jitrik

Published May 4, 2020• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Distributed Sensor Networks are often implemented to overcome some of the challenges presented by a single monostatic sensor system. In this paper we consider the possibility of geographically-distributed quantum radar nodes for improved target detection. Our theoretical design assumes N quantum sensor nodes with transmit-detect capabilities. One of these nodes is chosen to an “entangler node”, which generates entangled photon pairs and uses quantum channels to transmit, swap or teleport the photons to nodes A and B. One of the nodes retains the photon as an idler while the other transmits its photon as the signal. When this process is repeated across several nodes, there is a clear advantage of having different bearing angles to the target among the N nodes. Furthermore, the position and orientation of these sensor nodes could be actively optimized to maximize information about the state of the target. In addition, because the photon frequencies can be chosen to be independent of N, the system generates virtual modes that increase the performance of a single quantum sensor. The proposed design could be generalized to maintain the equivalent of a distributed quantum register among the N nodes so that the sharing of classical information from the detection among the nodes can permit state estimation to be performed in a completely uniform and consistent way. More specifically, each node receives a signal photon which is compared to its idler photon to produce something that relates to the state of the target but is completely non-informative to the individual nodes. It is only when the quantum information from the nodes is received at a secure central node that a full estimate comprising all information about the target from all nodes can be constructed. As we will discuss, the system not only is more information-efficient but also provides a certain level of security because any classical information leakage at a node (i.e., compromised by an adversary) will not actually reveal anything about the state of the target. Therefore, a set of geographically distributed quantum sensors can be treated as a single logical quantum radar device.

DOI
10.1117/12.2558759

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Distributed Sensor Networks are often implemented to overcome some of the challenges presented by a single monostatic sensor system. In this paper we consider the possibility of geographically-distributed quantum radar nodes for improved target detection. Our theoretical design assumes N quantum sensor nodes with transmit-detect capabilities. One of these nodes is chosen to an “entangler node”, which generates entangled photon pairs and uses quantum channels to transmit, swap or teleport the photons to nodes A and B. One of the nodes retains the photon as an idler while the other transmits its photon as the signal. When this process is repeated across several nodes, there is a clear advantage of having different bearing angles to the target among the N nodes. Furthermore, the position and orientation of these sensor nodes could be actively optimized to maximize information about the state of the target. In addition, because the photon frequencies can be chosen to be independent of N, the system generates virtual modes that increase the performance of a single quantum sensor. The proposed design could be generalized to maintain the equivalent of a distributed quantum register among the N nodes so that the sharing of classical information from the detection among the nodes can permit state estimation to be performed in a completely uniform and consistent way. More specifically, each node receives a signal photon which is compared to its idler photon to produce something that relates to the state of the target but is completely non-informative to the individual nodes. It is only when the quantum information from the nodes is received at a secure central node that a full estimate comprising all information about the target from all nodes can be constructed. As we will discuss, the system not only is more information-efficient but also provides a certain level of security because any classical information leakage at a node (i.e., compromised by an adversary) will not actually reveal anything about the state of the target. Therefore, a set of geographically distributed quantum sensors can be treated as a single logical quantum radar device.
Quantum radar systems leverage entangled photon pairs to detect and identify targets in noisy or cluttered environments with sensitivity beyond classical limits. By transmitting one photon of an entangled pair toward a distant object while retaining its partner locally, the system exploits quantum correlations to improve signal discrimination, reduce noise susceptibility, and enhance detection probability. This paper outlines the physical principles, operational architecture, and performance advantages of entanglement‑based illumination, providing a clear foundation for future quantum‑enhanced sensing technologies.(If you want it shorter, longer, or more formal, tap: shorter paragraph, longer paragraph, more formal)
A quantum sensor network with multipartite entanglement offers a sensitivity advantage in optical phase estimation over the classical scheme. To tackle richer sensing problems, we construct a distributed sensor network with four nodes via four partite entanglements, unveil the estimation of the higher order derivative of radio-frequency signal phase, and unlock the potential of quantum target ranging and space positioning. Taking phased-array radar as an example, we demonstrate the optimal quantum advantages for space positioning and target ranging missions. Without doubt, the demonstration that endows innovative physical conception opens up widespread application of quantum sensor networks.
With the help of entanglement, we can build quantum sensors with sensitivity better than that of classical sensors. In this paper we propose an entanglement assisted (EA) joint monostatic-bistatic quantum radar scheme, which significantly outperforms corresponding conventional radars. The proposed joint monostatic-bistatic quantum radar is composed of two radars, one having both wideband entangled source and EA detector, and the second one with only an EA detector. The optical phase conjugation (OPC) is applied on the transmitter side, while classical coherent detection schemes are applied in both receivers. The joint monostatic-bistatic integrated EA transmitter is proposed suitable for implementation in LiNbO3 technology. The detection probability of the proposed EA joint target detection scheme outperforms significantly corresponding classical, coherent states-based quantum detection, and EA monostatic detection schemes. The proposed EA joint target detection scheme is evaluated by modelling the direct radar return and forward scattering channels as both lossy and noisy Bosonic channels, and assuming that the distribution of entanglement over idler channels is not perfect.
Quantum radar represents a promising advancement over classical radar systems by exploiting quantum mechanical phenomena such as entanglement and quantum measurement to overcome fundamental detection limitations. This paper reviews the evolution of radar technology from conventional radar frequency systems to quantum radar architectures, with emphasis on sensitivity enhancement and detection of RF-stealth targets for military defense applications. Classical radar parameters such as radar range, transmitted power and cross section are revisited and extended to their quantum analogues. The role of entangled single photon sources in improving detection performance under high noise and jamming environments is discussed. Context of microwave quantum radar is reviewed along with photonic implementations. This paper further highlights the importance of quantum measurement theory, including system-apparatus entanglement, density matrix formalism and wave function collapse in extracting information from quantum radar systems. Although significant experimental challenges remain, recent advances indicate strong potential for future development of quantum radar in next generation defense and surveillance systems.
One of the major scientific thrusts from recent years has been to try to harness quantum phenomena to dramat­ ically increase the performance of a wide variety of classical devices. These advances in quantum information science have had a considerable impact on the development of photonic-based quantum sensors. Even though quantum radar and quantum lidar remain theoretical proposals, preliminary results suggest that these sensors have the potential of becoming disruptive technologies able to revolutionize reconnaissance systems. In this paper we will discuss how quantum entanglement can be exploited to increase the radar and lidar signature of rectangular targets. In particular, we will show how the effective visibility of the target is increased if observed with an entangled multi-photon quantum sensor.
One of the major scientific thrusts from recent years has been to try to harness quantum phenomena to dramatically increase the performance of a wide variety of classical information processing devices. These advances in quantum information science have had a considerable impact on the development of standoff sensors such as quantum radar. In this paper we analyze the theoretical performance of low-brightness quantum radar that uses entangled photon states. We use the detection error probability as a measure of sensing performance and the interception error probability as a measure of stealthiness. We compare the performance of quantum radar against a coherent light sensor (such as lidar) and classical radar. In particular, we restrict our analysis to the performance of low-brightness standoff sensors operating in a noisy environment. We show that, compared to the two classical standoff sensing devices, quantum radar is stealthier, more resilient to jamming, and more accurate for the detection of low reflectivity targets.