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International Conference on Quantum Communications, Networking, and Computing (QCNC)

An Equivalent Baseband Signal Model for Rydberg Atomic Quantum Receiver Aided Wireless Communications and Sensing

Tierui Gong, Jiaming Sun, Chau Yuen, Guangwei Hu, Yufei Zhao, Yong Liang Guan, Chong Meng Samson See, Merouane Abdelkader Debbah, Lajos Hanzo

Published Mar 31, 2025• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Rydberg atomic quantum receivers (RAQRs) emerge as a radical solution for detecting radio frequency (RF) signals, showing great potential in assisting classical wireless communications and sensing. However, the current studies of RAQRs mainly focus on realizing fundamental functionalities via experiments, where the results cannot be readily harnessed for assisting wireless communications and sensing. Moreover, the advantages of RAQR-based wireless receivers have not been fully characterized. To fill the gap, we introduce the superheterodyne version of RAQRs and present the associated end-to-end transmission scheme. We then develop a corresponding end-to-end equivalent baseband signal model relying on a realistic transmission flow. Our scheme and model provide explicit design guidance for RAQR-aided wireless systems. We finally verify the effectiveness of the proposed signal model with respect to the waveform of the photodetector, input-output relationship (transfer function), and the normalized mean-squared error between the nonlinear transfer function and its linear approximation.

DOI
10.1109/qcnc64685.2025.00104

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Rydberg atomic quantum receivers (RAQRs) emerge as a radical solution for detecting radio frequency (RF) signals, showing great potential in assisting classical wireless communications and sensing. However, the current studies of RAQRs mainly focus on realizing fundamental functionalities via experiments, where the results cannot be readily harnessed for assisting wireless communications and sensing. Moreover, the advantages of RAQR-based wireless receivers have not been fully characterized. To fill the gap, we introduce the superheterodyne version of RAQRs and present the associated end-to-end transmission scheme. We then develop a corresponding end-to-end equivalent baseband signal model relying on a realistic transmission flow. Our scheme and model provide explicit design guidance for RAQR-aided wireless systems. We finally verify the effectiveness of the proposed signal model with respect to the waveform of the photodetector, input-output relationship (transfer function), and the normalized mean-squared error between the nonlinear transfer function and its linear approximation.
The significant progress of quantum sensing technologies offer numerous radical solutions for measuring a multitude of physical quantities at an unprecedented precision. Among them, Rydberg atomic quantum receivers (RAQRs) emerge as an eminent solution for detecting the electric field of radio frequency (RF) signals, exhibiting great potential in assisting classical wireless communications and sensing. So far, most experimental studies have aimed for the proof of physical concepts to reveal its promise, while the practical signal model of RAQR-aided wireless communications and sensing remained under-explored. Furthermore, the performance of RAQR-based wireless receivers and their advantages over classical RF receivers have not been fully characterized. To fill these gaps, we introduce the RAQR to the wireless community by presenting an end-to-end reception scheme. We then develop a corresponding equivalent baseband signal model relying on a realistic reception flow. Our scheme and model provide explicit design guidance to RAQR-aided wireless systems. We next study the performance of RAQR-aided wireless systems based on our model, and compare them to classical RF receivers. The results show that Doppler broadening-free RAQRs are capable of achieving a substantial received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain of over 27 decibel (dB) and 40 dB in the photon shot limit and standard quantum limit regimes, respectively.
Rydberg atomic quantum receivers (RAQRs) are emerging quantum precision sensing platforms designed for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals. It relies on the creation of Rydberg atoms from normal atoms by exciting one or more electrons to a very high energy level, thereby making the atom sensitive to RF signals. RAQRs realize RF-to-optical conversions based on atom-light interactions relying on the so-called electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler- Townes splitting (ATS) so that the desired RF signal can be read out optically. The large dipole moments of Rydberg atoms associated with rich choices of Rydberg states facilitate an ultra-high sensitivity (~nv⁄cm/√Hz) and an ultra-broadband tunability (direct-current to Terahertz). RAQRs also exhibit compelling scalability and lend themselves to the construction of innovative, compact receivers. Initial experimental studies have demonstrated their capabilities in classical wireless communications and sensing. To fully harness their potential in a wide variety of applications, we commence by outlining the underlying fundamentals of Rydberg atoms, followed by the principles and schemes of RAQRs. Then, we overview the state-of-the-art studies from both physics and communication societies. Furthermore, we conceive Rydberg atomic quantum single-input single-output (RAQ-SISO) and multiple-input multiple- output (RAQ-MIMO) schemes to facilitate the integration of RAQRs with classical wireless systems. Finally, we conclude with a set of potent research directions.
In this paper, we develop a communication-oriented complex baseband equivalent model for superheterodyne Rydberg atomic quantum receivers (RAQRs). The model explicitly captures photodetection-induced signal-dependent shot noise and its coupling with the optical operating point. By leveraging an atomic superheterodyne architecture and a strong local oscillator, we construct a complex baseband representation for both the received signal and the signal-dependent shot noise under both direct incoherent optical detection and balanced coherent optical detection. The derived model reveals that the optical operating point jointly determines the normalized effective receive gain and the equivalent noise background, thereby establishing a traceable gain-noise tradeoff governed by system design. More importantly, the proposed model shows that neglecting signal-dependent shot noise may lead to inaccurate operating-point design. Finally, by extending to the multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) case, we derive a lower bound on the achievable rate while considering the signal-dependent shot noise. Our analysis \textcolor{black}{reveals} that the non-zero asymptotic rate of RAQ-MIMO and its superiority over conventional RF-MIMO hinge on the normalized noise floor of the RAQ receive chain falling below that of RF MIMO. Simulation results validate our analysis and yield practical, closed-form design guidelines for RAQR front ends, revealing parameter regimes in which RAQ-MIMO outperforms conventional MIMO systems.
An efficient three-color (3C) laser excitation-based Rydberg atomic quantum receiver (RAQR) architecture is investigated for wireless communications, utilizing a five-level (5L) electronic transition mechanism. Specifically, the conventional two-color (2C) RAQR with the four-level (4L) excitation faces three fundamental obstacles: 1) high cost and engineering challenges due to the reliance on unstable short-wavelength lasers; 2) a fundamental sensitivity limit in thermal atoms caused by residual Doppler broadening; and 3) the inability to detect low-frequency bands due to the energy-level constraint of two-photon resonance. To address these challenges, this paper analyzes a 3C5L-RAQR architecture with all-red/infrared lasers, which not only solves the engineering cost issues but also enables effective Doppler cancellation and low-frequency detection by exploiting the three-photon resonance. Bridging atomic physics and communication theory, an end-to-end equivalent baseband signal model is derived. Furthermore, the performance of different RAQR architectures is evaluated in terms of sensitivity, achievable rate and spectrum access range. Moreover, we provide an exact numerical solution for practical RAQRs by employing the Liouvillian superoperator formalism. Numerical results demonstrate that the exhibited 3C5L-RAQR achieves superior sensitivity compared to the conventional 2C4L-RAQR and a classical antenna-based radio frequency receiver for weak-signal detection. Finally, the inherent sensitivity-rate trade-off is revealed, showing that the 3C5L-RAQR is more suitable for deployment in power-limited communication scenarios demanding broad spectrum access.
Quantum sensing technologies have experienced rapid progresses since entering the ‘second quantum revolution’. Among various candidates, schemes relying on Rydberg atoms exhibit compelling advantages for detecting radio frequency signals. Based on this, Rydberg atomic quantum receivers (RAQRs) have emerged as a promising solution to classical wireless communication and sensing. To harness the advantages and exploit the potential of RAQRs in wireless sensing, we investigate the realization of the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation by RAQRs. Specifically, we first conceive a Rydberg atomic quantum uniform linear array (RAQ-ULA) aided wireless receiver for multi-target DOA detection and propose the corresponding signal model of this sensing system. Our model reveals that the presence of the radio-frequency local oscillator in the RAQ-ULA creates sensor gain mismatches, which degrade the DOA estimation significantly by employing the classical Estimation of Signal Parameters via Rotational Invariant Techniques (ESPRIT). To solve this sensor gain mismatch problem, we propose the Rydberg atomic quantum ESPRIT (RAQ-ESPRIT) relying on our model. Lastly, we characterize our scheme through numerical simulations, where the results exhibit that it is capable of reducing the estimation error of its classical counterpart on the order of >400400400- fold and >900090009000- fold in the PSL and SQL, respectively.
Rydberg atomic quantum receivers exhibit great potential in assisting classical wireless communications due to their outstanding advantages in detecting radio frequency signals. To realize this potential, we integrate a Rydberg atomic quantum receiver into a classical multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) scheme to form a multi-user Rydberg atomic quantum MIMO (RAQ-MIMO) system for the uplink. To study this system, we first construct an equivalent baseband signal model, which facilitates convenient system design, signal processing and optimizations. We then study the ergodic achievable rates under both the maximum ratio combining (MRC) and zero-forcing (ZF) schemes by deriving their tight lower bounds. We next compare the ergodic achievable rates of the RAQ-MIMO and the conventional massive MIMO schemes by offering a closed-form expression for the difference of their ergodic achievable rates, which allows us to directly compare the two systems. Our results show that RAQ-MIMO allows the average transmit power of users to be>25d B m>25 \text{d B m}>25d B mlower than that of the conventional massive MIMO. Viewed from a different perspective, an extra∼8.8\sim 8.8∼8.8bits/s/Hz/user rate becomes achievable by ZF RAQ-MIMO.