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Computer Networks

Quantum enhanced time synchronisation for communication network

Swaraj Shekhar Nande, Marius Paul, Stefan Senk, Marian Ulbricht, Riccardo Bassoli, Frank H. P. Fitzek, Holger Boche

Published Apr 23, 2023• 28 citations
Publisher

Abstract

It is essential to establish precise times in future communication networks. Any real-time task's function depends on the system's ability to synchronise time. Time synchronisation is critical in the current communication network and must be maintained to transmit data packets. The functionality of 6G, the Tactile Internet, Time-Sensitive Networking, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications is highly susceptible to time synchronisation. We investigated the idea of employing time synchronisation across different communication network nodes. The current state-of-the-art employs network protocols like Precision-Time Protocol for synchronising clocks across different nodes. These network protocols are not robust and can generate jitters in data transmission. In this paper, we suggested synchronising the time of the node clocks at three different places using quantum technology. Notably, the oscillation frequencies of each qubit (or oscillator) located at these nodes can be synchronised using the quantum synchronisation technique. This set of three oscillators will work as a single clock and will be the master clock of the network. We propose distributing precise time and frequency standards using quantum synchronisation on node clocks. We can synchronise the three qubits (each placed at one node) to oscillate at an identical frequency by applying an external field of a wavelength of $813.32$ nm. We analysed our model for different coupling constants and dissipation rates to provide an analysis of the behaviour of the amount of synchronisation in different experimental configurations. The optimal accuracy for our system is $1.6 \times 10^{15}$ signals per second. Further, we used the Allan deviation to examine the stability of our system for various noise strengths.

DOI
10.1016/j.comnet.2023.109772

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Establishing accurate time standards across the globe is very important. The success of any real-time task depends on maintaining time synchronization in its system. Space technology helps in enabling global dissemination of time. In this paper, we propose a model that uses satellites to transfer the time information extracted from three qubits that are precisely synchronized using quantum synchronization. By applying an external field with wavelength 813.32 nm, we can synchronize the three qubits (each carried in another satellite) to oscillate at the same frequency. We can ideally achieve a precision of 1.6 × 1015 signals per second, and show the corresponding. Allan deviation curve to analyze the stability of our system for different noise strengths. We introduce the possibility of using quantum synchronization on satellite-carried clocks to distribute accurate time and frequency standards.
Establishing accurate time standards across the globe is very important. The success of any real-time task depends on maintaining time synchronization in its system. Space technology helps in enabling global dissemination of time. In this paper, we propose a model that uses satellites to transfer the time information extracted from three qubits that are precisely synchronized using quantum synchronization. By applying an external field with wavelength 813.32 nm, we can synchronize the three qubits (each carried in another satellite) to oscillate at the same frequency. We can ideally achieve a precision of 1.6 × 10 15 signals per second, and show the corresponding. Allan deviation curve to analyze the stability of our system for different noise strengths. We introduce the possibility of using quantum synchronization on satellite-carried clocks to distribute accurate time and frequency standards.
Establishing accurate time standards across the globe is very important. The success of any real-time task depends on maintaining time synchronization in its system. Space technology helps in enabling global dissemination of time. In this paper, we propose a model that uses satellites to transfer the time information extracted from three qubits that are precisely synchronized using quantum synchronization. By applying an external field with wavelength 813.32 nm we can synchronize the three qubits (each carried in another satellite) to oscillate at the same frequency. We can ideally achieve a precision of 1.6 × 1015signals per second, and show the corresponding Allan deviation curve to analyze the stability of our system for different noise strengths. We introduce the possibility of using quantum synchronization on satellite-carried clocks to distribute accurate time and frequency standards.
In the upcoming frontier of quantum computing and telecommunications, especially 6G, which is an area under extensive research and development, quantum synchronisation plays a very immersive role. It presents us with unprecedented development in data privacy, network security, and latency. Employing quantum synchronisation, we synchronise three qubits by calculating their expectation values before and after the applications of the gates. Also, the time evolution of the expectation values of the spins ⟨σ1,2,3⟩ are also accomplished here. Before that, we briefly review the NTP and PTP protocols. Among the best results obtained in this study is the investigation of latency (in picosecond) between entangled qubits. Different suggestions are proposed here to improve this latency. We think that our outcomes present a forward step to understanding the significance of quantum synchronisation in classical network communications.
Precise time synchronisation underpins critical infrastructure from telecommunications and financial markets to power grids and scientific metrology. Several families of quantum protocols have been proposed and demonstrated for clock synchronisation and time distribution, exploiting entangled photon pairs, quantum key distribution (QKD) correlations, Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, and entangled clock networks. We critically assess these approaches, reviewing the main quantum time synchronisation (QTS) protocol families, quantifying the gap between theory and experiment, and identifying practical bottlenecks in sources, detectors, and channels. We survey the classical timing landscape from Network Time Protocol (NTP) and GPS to laboratory-grade optical frequency transfer, and compare quantum and classical methods at equivalent maturity. We examine use cases including financial trading, power grids, telecommunications, scientific metrology, and military applications, evaluating whether quantum timing offers a realistic advantage. We show that time transfer, not clock performance, is now the bottleneck for distributed optical timekeeping: the best demonstrated synchronisation uncertainty (2.46~ps) falls two to three orders of magnitude short of what optical clocks with fractional frequency uncertainties of 10−1810^{-18}10−18--10−1910^{-19}10−19 require. Our assessment is that quantum time synchronisation will not replace classical methods for most applications in the near-to-medium future. Its near-term value lies in physical-layer security against timing manipulation and integration with quantum communication networks, while closing the synchronisation gap for scientific metrology remains the most critical open challenge.
Time synchronization is crucial in the architecture of modern communication networks, supporting numerous high-stakes applications like financial transactions, autonomous vehicle control, and data center operations. While traditional time synchronization protocols, specifically the Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP), are reliable for various applications, they fall short in scenarios requiring ultra-high precision and resilience. To address these limitations, this paper provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of two emerging quantum technologies, namely Time-Correlated Entangled Photons (TCEP) and Optical Lattice Clocks (OLC). Using Monte Carlo simulations, we examined the synchronization in terms of the accuracy of these technologies under various noise conditions, revealing that while TCEP works perfectly in low-noise environments, its efficacy diminishes significantly with increasing noise levels. On the contrary, OLCs demonstrate consistent performance across various noise levels, making them more versatile for diverse application scenarios. This study is foundational for integrating quantum technologies in time synchronization for communication networks and sheds light on their merits and challenges. Our findings open new avenues for research in scalability, environmental resilience, and the development of hybrid quantum-classical timekeeping systems. Integrating quantum-enhanced time synchronization into a communication network will be the key step for achieving full-fledged Quantum Internet and quantum-enhanced communication networks.