Due to optical fiber limitations for quantum communication, global-scale quantum networks are possible only by integrating non-terrestrial components in the overall network architecture. Quantum networks are expected to support distributed tasks for quantum information processing, such as quantum sensing, control, communication, and computing. These networks enable emerging applications that are uniquely quantum or augmented by quantum mechanics. Leveraging quantum resources, anonymous networking can be enhanced to such an extent that even an adversary with control over all network resources cannot trace the message source, achieving perfect untraceability . To provide this untraceable global connectivity, we demonstrate the integration of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) and terrestrial networks (TNs) for quantum anonymous communication (QAC), highlighting possible architectures and key challenges in these integrated NTN-TN quantum anonymous networks (QANs). To illustrate and benchmark the design of QAC protocols within integrated networks, we present essential quantum protocols such as anonymous conference key agreement (CKA) and anonymous broadcast. In the first case study, we propose a satellite-to-ground quantum anonymous CKA (QA-CKA) protocol and assess the anonymous key exchange rate. This QA-CKA protocol utilizes low Earth orbit satellites to generate anonymous keys among two distinct TN nodes. In the second case study, we develop an air-to-ground quantum anonymous broadcast (QAB) protocol and examine the anonymous broadcast announcement rate. This QAB protocol exploits unmanned aerial vehicles to enable a broadcasting party to transmit classical information anonymously across two distinct TNs. These QAC protocols are simulated with realistic integrated network parameters to provide practical estimates of achievable performance. Furthermore, we discuss future research directions for enabling integrated NTN-TN QANs.
Due to optical fiber limitations for quantum communication, global-scale quantum networks are possible only by integrating non-terrestrial components in the overall network architecture. Quantum networks are expected to support distributed tasks for quantum information processing, such as quantum sensing, control, communication, and computing. These networks enable emerging applications that are uniquely quantum or augmented by quantum mechanics. Leveraging quantum resources, anonymous networking can be enhanced to such an extent that even an adversary with control over all network resources cannot trace the message source, achieving perfect untraceability . To provide this untraceable global connectivity, we demonstrate the integration of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) and terrestrial networks (TNs) for quantum anonymous communication (QAC), highlighting possible architectures and key challenges in these integrated NTN-TN quantum anonymous networks (QANs). To illustrate and benchmark the design of QAC protocols within integrated networks, we present essential quantum protocols such as anonymous conference key agreement (CKA) and anonymous broadcast. In the first case study, we propose a satellite-to-ground quantum anonymous CKA (QA-CKA) protocol and assess the anonymous key exchange rate. This QA-CKA protocol utilizes low Earth orbit satellites to generate anonymous keys among two distinct TN nodes. In the second case study, we develop an air-to-ground quantum anonymous broadcast (QAB) protocol and examine the anonymous broadcast announcement rate. This QAB protocol exploits unmanned aerial vehicles to enable a broadcasting party to transmit classical information anonymously across two distinct TNs. These QAC protocols are simulated with realistic integrated network parameters to provide practical estimates of achievable performance. Furthermore, we discuss future research directions for enabling integrated NTN-TN QANs.
Preserving privacy in communication and networking is of paramount importance in the Internet-of-Everything age of escalating surveillance and data collection. Anonymous communication is a cornerstone of this endeavor, enabling individuals to interact and exchange private information without disclosing their identities. However, achieving absolute security and privacy in classical anonymous networks (CANs) is highly challenging, and in particular, the advent of quantum computing poses critical threats to securing classical communication. In this article, we explore the evolution of CANs and delve into the distinctive shift from classical to quantum anonymous networks (QANs), emphasizing a substantial leap in privacy protected by quantum anonymous communication (QAC). The fundamental motivations behind this transition are rooted in the remarkable privacy attributes—e.g., completeanonymityanduntraceability— of QAC protocols, as well as the unconditional security ensured by the principles of quantum mechanics. To make these concepts more tangible in practical settings and provide a benchmark to design the QAC protocols in QANs, we usher in exemplary protocols: quantum anonymous teleportation, voting, and information retrieval. In these case studies, we assess the fidelity and error rates of the QAC protocols in noisy environments, aiming to evaluate their robustness in practical quantum entangled settings. Moreover, we discuss the primary challenges and future research directions integral to the transition towards QANs.
In the shift toward the quantum computing era, the foundational principles of classical cybersecurity, particularly in the realm of cryptographic algorithms, are facing unprecedented challenges. This demands comprehensive reevaluation and redesign of cryptographic infrastructures to withstand quantum adversarial attacks. With the emergence of the quantum Internet, a new approach to secure communication is possible, utilizing quantum properties that have no counterpart in classical systems. As the quantum Internet facilitates the exchange of quantum information, data publication protocols become essential in anonymizing and protecting privacy-sensitive data in quantum communication networks. This paper proposes two controlled quantum anonymous communication (QAC) protocols for publishing classical and quantum information on an Internet server (IS) with the assistance of a communication service provider. The first protocol allows for the controlled publication of classical information without revealing the publisher’s identity such that an adversary, even with access to all network resources, cannot trace the publication source—i.e., achieving perfect untraceability. The second protocol enables anonymous publication of quantum information on an IS in a controlled and untraceable manner. These protocols serve as essential building blocks for advancing the quantum Internet, which has the potential to transform communication and information exchange methods. We provide a detailed anonymity analysis of these QAC protocols for data publication, ensuring that the published symbol or qudit information remains untraceable to its publisher. Moreover, the performance analysis in terms of publication error probability, fidelity, and degree of anonymity in noisy environments demonstrates the robustness of the protocols against noise and adversarial attacks.
Full-duplex communication is a transformative technology in next-generation networks, enabling simultaneous transmission and reception for both high efficiency and low latency. In this paper, we integratefull duplexitywith QAC, developing a quantum dimension of full-duplex anonymity to address the stringent demands for communication efficiency, security, and privacy in emerging networks. Specifically, we design two full-duplex (FD-QAC) protocols for the bidirectional, secure, and anonymous exchange of classical information with the help of a server. The first FD-QAC protocol, tailored for ring-type quantum networks, ensures that even an adversary with full network access cannot determine communicating identities—achievingperfect untraceability. The second FD-QAC protocol, designed for star-type quantum networks, improves scalability, security, and resilience against dishonest participant attacks. We provide the anonymity analysis demonstrating the robustness of these QAC protocols against external adversaries and malicious participants in adversarial quantum networks. Furthermore, we evaluate the error performance of the protocols in noisy quantum networks, illustrating that this quantum full-duplex anonymity is both reliable and scalable.
Quantum sensing networks (QSNs) embody a fusion of quantum sensing and quantum communication, achieving both Heisenberg precision and unconditional security through the exploitation of quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement. However, the scalability and sensing capability of QSNs in the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era face challenges due to technological constraints, device imperfections, quantum noise, and dynamic sensing scenarios. Recent advancements in integrating quantum non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) and terrestrial networks (TNs) have paved the way for a global-scale quantum internet. Furthermore, leveraging variational quantum sensing (VQS), which capitalizes on hybrid quantum-classical computing, enhances quantum sensing capabilities. VQS tailors quantum sensing probes for dynamic sensing scenarios and noisy environments, significantly advancing application-specific NISQ sensing. We propose an integrated framework by combining VQS for optimal probe preparation and dynamic utility, as well as satellite-ground quantum networking for establishing on-demand entanglement across remote TN nodes. The integrated framework is advantageous over the standalone ground QSNs in terms of network scalability and sensing capability. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed framework, thereby introducing prospects for scalable and efficient quantum sensing on a global scale.
Quantum technologies are increasingly recognized as groundbreaking advancements set to redefine the landscape of computing, communications, and sensing by leveraging quantum phenomena, like entanglement and teleportation. Quantum technologies offer an interesting set of advantages such as unconditional security, large communications capacity, unparalleled computational speed, and ultra-precise sensing capabilities. However, their global deployment faces challenges related to communication ranges and geographical boundaries. Non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) have emerged as a potential remedy for these challenges through providing free-space quantum links to circumvent the exponential losses inherent in fiber optics. Through the utilization of free-space optical (FSO) and Li-Fi links, NTNs provide an effective method for transmitting quantum states over extensive distances. This paper delves into the dynamic interplay between quantum technologies and NTNs to unveil their synergistic potential. We also investigate their integration challenges and the potential solutions to foster a symbiotic convergence of quantum and NTN functionalities while identifying avenues for enhanced interoperability. Specifically, quantum communication over NTNs imposes challenges in communication channel reliability, network flexibility, and scalability. To enhance channel reliability, multicarrier transmission techniques and spatial diversity strategies, including quantum MIMO (q-MIMO) transmission schemes, can be employed. Introducing the software defined networking (SDN) model facilitates flexible network configurations. In NTN-based quantum infrastructure, technologies like trusted relays, measurement device independent (MDI), and quantum repeaters can address scalability concerns efficiently. This paper not only offers useful insights into the mutual advantages but also presents future research directions, aiming to inspire additional studies and advance this interdisciplinary collaboration.
Advancements in Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology facilitate ubiquitous network access for users, whereas satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers a viable solution for long-distance quantum key exchange in scenarios lacking terrestrial network infrastructure. This study explores the feasibility and practical utility of integrating NTN technology with satellite-based QKD and proposes a novel quantum-enhanced security framework for next-generation space–terrestrial networks. We have developed and deployed the first-of-its-kind 5G-enabled (fifth generation mobile communication) NTN prototype system leveraging satellite-based QKD key encryption. This system comprises a quantum satellite system, a communication satellite system, a 5G network infrastructure, and end-to-end encryption/decryption modules, aiming to validate the feasibility and usability of the proposed quantum-encrypted NTN security framework. Comprehensive tests and performance evaluations were carried out on the testbed constructed based on this prototype system, which collected critical Quality of Experience (QoE) metrics, including Round-Trip Time (RTT) and jitter, during user-plane ping measurements. Experimental results demonstrate that the integration of quantum encryption capabilities incurs an RTT overhead of 5 ms (0.75%), a necessary trade-off for systems incorporating supplementary quantum-encrypted transmission. Concurrently, the deployment of Virtual Private Network (VPN) infrastructure mitigates network jitter by 50%. These results hold critical theoretical and practical implications for the development of next-generation NTN security frameworks enabled by satellite-based QKD.