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International Journal of Engineering & Extended Technologies Research

Design & Development of a Quantum Antenna for Advanced Communication and Sensing Applications

K. Gokul Prasad, K Jahnavi, S Nandini, G Navya Deepika, S Mabu Valli

Published Mar 28, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

With the emergence of sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks, ensuring information-theoretic security at extremely high data rates has become a critical challenge. Conventional cryptographic techniques are increasingly vulnerable to quantum computing attacks, motivating the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with advanced wireless technologies. This paper proposes a hybrid QKD–Massive MIMO framework operating in the terahertz (THz) band (10–30 THz) to evaluate secure key generation performance under realistic distance, frequency, and antenna scaling conditions. A security-aware Secret Key Rate (SKR) model is developed by incorporating Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) constraints and distance-dependent attenuation. Extensive simulations analyze SKR variation with transmission distance (1–10 m), carrier frequency, and antenna array size (32–1024). Results demonstrate that massive MIMO significantly enhances SKR and extends the secure communication range, while higher THz frequencies introduce stronger attenuation. The proposed framework validates the feasibility of scalable quantum-secure THz communications for future 6G networks.

DOI
10.15662/ijeetr.2026.0802124

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With the emergence of sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks, ensuring information-theoretic security at extremely high data rates has become a critical challenge. Conventional cryptographic techniques are increasingly vulnerable to quantum computing attacks, motivating the integration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with advanced wireless technologies. This paper proposes a hybrid QKD–Massive MIMO framework operating in the terahertz (THz) band (10–30 THz) to evaluate secure key generation performance under realistic distance, frequency, and antenna scaling conditions. A security-aware Secret Key Rate (SKR) model is developed by incorporating Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) constraints and distance-dependent attenuation. Extensive simulations analyze SKR variation with transmission distance (1–10 m), carrier frequency, and antenna array size (32–1024). Results demonstrate that massive MIMO significantly enhances SKR and extends the secure communication range, while higher THz frequencies introduce stronger attenuation. The proposed framework validates the feasibility of scalable quantum-secure THz communications for future 6G networks.
We propose a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme for terahertz (THz) frequency applications operating at room temperature. Motivated by classical MIMO communications, a transmit-receive beamforming scheme is proposed that converts the rank-rrr MIMO channel between Alice and Bob into rrr parallel lossy quantum channels. Compared with existing single-antenna QKD schemes, we demonstrate that the MIMO QKD scheme leads to performance improvements by increasing the secret key rate and extending the transmission distance. Our simulation results show that multiple antennas are necessary to overcome the high free-space path loss at THz frequencies. We demonstrate a non-monotonic relation between performance and frequency, and reveal that positive key rates are achievable in the 10–30 THz frequency range. The proposed scheme can be used for both indoor and outdoor QKD applications for beyond fifth generation ultra-secure wireless communications systems.
We propose a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme for terahertz (THz) frequency applications operating at room temperature. Motivated by classical MIMO communications, a transmit-receive beamforming scheme is proposed that converts the rank-rrrMIMO channel between Alice and Bob intorrrparallel lossy quantum channels. Compared with existing single-antenna QKD schemes, we demonstrate that the MIMO QKD scheme leads to performance improvements by increasing the secret key rate and extending the transmission distance. Our simulation results show that multiple antennas are necessary to overcome the high free-space path loss at THz frequencies. We demonstrate a non-monotonic relation between performance and frequency, and reveal that positive key rates are achievable in the 10–30 THz frequency range. The proposed scheme can be used for both indoor and outdoor QKD applications for beyond fifth generation ultra-secure wireless communications systems.
The forthcoming age of communication systems requires increased security, faster processing, and simpler encryption techniques. Quantum information and communication technology offer a revolutionary era featuring high-speed and inherently secure networks. With the looming prospect of quantum supremacy, traditional encryption systems face potential obsolescence in terms of security. In response to this challenge, quantum key distribution (QKD) emerges as an innovative solution for exchanging secret keys in a quantum based manner, addressing the limitations of conventional encryption methods. Within the proposed work, the focus extends to the implementation of a MIMO- QKD scheme tailored for terahertz (THz) frequency applications. The paper provides a comprehensive examination of both single-antenna QKD schemes and the performance of the MIMO QKD scheme. Simulation results underscore the indispensability of multiple antennas to mitigate the substantial free-space path loss encountered at THz frequencies.
Although multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) terahertz (THz) continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) is theoretically secure, practical vulnerabilities may arise due to detector imperfections. This paper explores a CV measurement-device-independent (MDI) QKD system operating at THz frequencies within a MIMO framework. In this system, measurement is delegated to an untrusted third party, Charlie, rather than the receiver, eliminating all detector attacks and significantly enhancing the system's practical security. Using transmit-receive beamforming techniques, the system transforms MIMO channels into multiple parallel lossy quantum channels, enabling robust key distribution between Alice and Bob. This study examines entanglement-based and prepare-and-measure protocols, deriving secret key rates for both asymptotic and finite code scenarios. Simulations reveal the critical role of multiple antenna configurations and efficient homodyne detection in mitigating free-space path loss and maximizing key rates. Results indicate that system performance is optimized at lower THz frequencies for long-range transmissions and higher frequencies for short-range applications. The proposed protocol offers a scalable solution for secure quantum communications in next-generation wireless networks, demonstrating potential for deployment in both indoor and outdoor environments.
With the exponentially increased demands for large bandwidth, it is important to think about the best network platform as well as the security and privacy of the information in communication networks. Millimetre (mm)-waves and terahertz (THz) with high carrier frequency are proposed as the enabling technologies to overcome Shannons channel capacity limit of existing communication systems by providing ultrawide bandwidth signals. Mm-waves and THz are also able to build wireless links compatible with optical communication systems. However, most solid-state components that can operate reasonably efficiently at these frequency ranges (100GHz-10THz), especially sources and detectors, require cryogenic cooling, as is a requirement for most quantum systems. Here, we show that secure mm-waves and THz QKD can be achieved when the sources and detectors operate at cryogenic temperatures down to T= 4K. We compare single-input single-output (SISO) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Continuous Variable THz Quantum Key Distribution (CVQKD) schemes and find the positive secret key rate in the frequency ranges between f=100 GHz and 1 THz. Moreover, we find that the maximum transmission distance could be extended, the secret key rate could be improved in lower temperatures, and achieve a maximum secrete communication distance of more than 5 km at f=100GHz and T=4K by using 1024*1024 antennas. Our results may contribute to the efforts to develop next-generation secure wireless communication systems and quantum internet for applications from inter-satellite and deep space, to indoor and short-distance communications.
With the exponentially increased demands for large bandwidth, it is important to think about the best network platform as well as the security and privacy of the information in communication networks. Millimetre (mm)-waves and terahertz (THz) with high carrier frequency are proposed as the enabling technologies to overcome Shannon's channel capacity limit of existing communication systems by providing ultrawide bandwidth signals. Mm-waves and THz are also able to build wireless links compatible with optical communication systems. However, most solid-state components that can operate reasonably efficiently at these frequency ranges (100GHz-10THz), especially sources and detectors, require cryogenic cooling, as is a requirement for most quantum systems. Here, we show that secure mm-waves and THz QKD can be achieved when the sources and detectors operate at cryogenic temperatures down toT= 4K. We compare single-input single-output (SISO) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) Continuous Variable THz Quantum Key Distribution (CVQKD) schemes and find the positive secret key rate in the frequency ranges betweenf=100 GHz and 1 THz. Moreover, we find that the maximum transmission distance could be extended, the secret key rate could be improved in lower temperatures, and achieve a maximum secrete communication distance of more than 5km atf=100GHz andT=4K by using 1024×1024 antennas. Our results for the first time show the possibility of mm-waves and THz MIMO CVQKD with the system operating at temperatures belowT= 50K, which may contribute to the efforts to develop next-generation secure wireless communication systems and quantum internet for applications from inter-satellite and deep space to indoor and short-distance communications.