Underwater wireless optical communications are studied through single photon detection, photon states modulation and quantum key encryption. These studies will promote the development of optical communication applications in underwater vehicles and underwater sensor networks.
Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) face persistent challenges such as high attenuation, limited bandwidth, and environmental interference, which constrain their reliability and performance. This survey investigates the potential of quantum sensing technologies to overcome these limitations. We systematically review and analyze quantum-enhanced detection methods, entanglement-based communication protocols, and quantum magnetometry for underwater applications. Our study highlights how quantum techniques can conceptually improve signal detection, extend communication range, and enhance positioning accuracy. By comparing existing surveys, identifying key research gaps, and outlining a roadmap for practical implementation, this work provides a comprehensive perspective on advancing UWSNs through quantum technologies.
The results of experimental modeling of a wireless optical communication channel in an aquatic environment are presented, which were carried out on the basis of a laboratory installation for underwater communication, developed at MTUCI. The possibility of creating cheap and compact optical communication systems for high-speed data transmission at distances up to 100 m has been demonstrated. The necessity of using the technology of quantum key distribution for information security is shown. The key elements required for the implementation of the quantum distribution of cryptographic keys in the ocean are analyzed.
Underwater wireless optical communications are a developing alternative to meet the increasing need for high-speed connections in oceans and seas. Optical wireless communications (OWCs) are more secure and less susceptible to eavesdropping compared to acoustic communications or radio frequency (RF) communications due to their narrow optical beam coverage and reliance on line-of-sight components. Nevertheless, the existence of a hostile eavesdropper can compromise the level of confidentiality achieved by OWC networks. This article provides a concise overview of the latest research conducted on physical layer security (PLS) in underwater optical wireless communication (UOWC). Furthermore, this work presents the relevant unresolved matters, approaches for enhancing secrecy performance, and potential areas for further research.
Underwater communication, with its unique characteristics of throughput, delay, error rates, and communicating nodes, often constrained by battery power, presents a significant challenge. In the face of a quantum threat to cryptography, the need to correctly choose quantum-safe cryptographic schemes and key management protocols capable of meeting underwater communication constraints has become crucial. Our paper addresses the topic of securing underwater communication, and more generally, the topic of securing a constrained network. It analyses available post-quantum cryptographic solutions and assesses their applicability to underwater information exchange.
The growing importance of underwater networks (UNs) in mission-critical activities at sea enforces the need for secure underwater communications (UCs). Classical encryption techniques can be used to achieve secure data exchange in UNs. However, the advent of quantum computing will pose threats to classical cryptography, thus challenging UCs. Currently, underwater cryptosystems mostly adopt symmetric ciphers, which are considered computationally quantum robust but pose the challenge of distributing the secret key upfront. Post-quantum public-key (PQPK) protocols promise to overcome the key distribution problem. The security of PQPK protocols, however, only relies on the assumed computational complexity of some underlying mathematical problems. Moreover, the use of resource-hungry PQPK algorithms in resource-constrained environments such as UNs can require nontrivial hardware/software optimization efforts. An alternative approach is underwater quantum key distribution (QKD), which promises unconditional security built upon the physical principles of quantum mechanics (QM). This tutorial provides a basic introduction to free-space underwater QKD (UQKD). At first, the basic concepts of QKD are presented, based on a fully worked out QKD example. A thorough state-of-the-art analysis of UQKD is carried out. The paper subsequently provides a theoretical analysis of the QKD performance through free-space underwater channels and its dependence on the key optical parameters of the system and seawater. Finally, open challenges, points of strength, and perspectives of UQKD are identified and discussed.
The growing importance of Underwater Networks (UNs) in mission-critical activities at sea enforces the need for secure Underwater Communications (UCs). Classical encryption techniques can be used to achieve secure data exchange in UNs. However, the advent of Quantum Computing will pose threats to classical cryptography, thus challenging also UCs. Currently, underwater crypto-systems mostly adopt symmetric ciphers, which are considered computationally quantum-robust, but pose the challenge of distributing the secret key upfront. Post-Quantum Public-Key (PQPK) protocols promise to overcome the key distribution problem. The security of PQPK protocols, however, only relies on the assumed computational complexity of some underlying mathematical problems. Moreover, the use of resource hungry PQPK algorithms in resource-constrained environments such as UNs can require non-trivial hardware/software optimization efforts. An alternative approach is underwater Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which promises unconditional security built upon the physical principles of Quantum Mechanics. This tutorial provides a basic introduction to free-space Underwater QKD (UQKD). At first, the basic concepts of QKD are presented, based on a fully worked out QKD example. A thorough state-of-the-art analysis of UQKD is carried out. The paper subsequently provides a theoretical analysis of the QKD performance through free-space underwater channels, and its dependence on the key optical parameters of the system and seawater. Finally, open challenges, points of strength and perspectives of UQKD are identified and discussed.