Rydberg atomic receivers (RARs) have emerged as a promising candidate for next-generation wireless communication systems due to their broadband tunability, SI traceability, compact configuration, and omnidirectional reception. Currently, the primary challenge hindering the further large-scale deployment of RARs lies in the low data transmission rates, which is attributed to the narrow instantaneous bandwidth. This work improves data transmission rates from a signal processing perspective, proposing a cost-effective and operationally efficient solution. The Rydberg-atom-based electro-optic conversion (RAEOC) system behaves as a linear system under strong local oscillator biasing and small-signal excitation. Specifically, we develop a dynamic response model for the RAEOC system and derive its frequency-response expression via time-dependent perturbation theory, Laplace transformation, and vectorization-based computation. Furthermore, we establish a comprehensive RAR communication simulation framework. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the frequency-domain estimation and equalization algorithm can significantly improve the bit error rate performance of RARs in broadband signal reception. Our equalization method suppresses inherent passband distortion in RAR systems to enhance data throughput under finite bandwidth.
Rydberg atomic receivers (RARs) have emerged as a promising candidate for next-generation wireless communication systems due to their broadband tunability, SI traceability, compact configuration, and omnidirectional reception. Currently, the primary challenge hindering the further large-scale deployment of RARs lies in the low data transmission rates, which is attributed to the narrow instantaneous bandwidth. This work improves data transmission rates from a signal processing perspective, proposing a cost-effective and operationally efficient solution. The Rydberg-atom-based electro-optic conversion (RAEOC) system behaves as a linear system under strong local oscillator biasing and small-signal excitation. Specifically, we develop a dynamic response model for the RAEOC system and derive its frequency-response expression via time-dependent perturbation theory, Laplace transformation, and vectorization-based computation. Furthermore, we establish a comprehensive RAR communication simulation framework. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that the frequency-domain estimation and equalization algorithm can significantly improve the bit error rate performance of RARs in broadband signal reception. Our equalization method suppresses inherent passband distortion in RAR systems to enhance data throughput under finite bandwidth.
Rydberg atomic receiver has emerged as promising candidate for next-generation wireless communication, due to the exceptional sensitivity and ability to overcome the physical limitations of traditional radio frequency antennas. Utilizing the resonant response of atomic energy levels for signal detection, Rydberg atomic receiver is inherently confined to a narrow instantaneous bandwidth. However, in high-mobility scenarios such as satellite communications, the severe Doppler effect induces carrier frequency offsets, which drive the signal beyond the instantaneous bandwidth and result in severe distortion. In this paper, we propose an adaptive local oscillator (LO) tracking Rydberg atomic receiver architecture designed to lock high-dynamic signals within the effective atomic response bandwidth. By employing a cross-product automatic frequency control (CPAFC) algorithm, the system dynamically estimates the instantaneous frequency offset, generates a corresponding error control signal, and adjusts the LO frequency through a feedback loop. Consequently, the intermediate frequency signal can always be locked close to the center of the atomic response bandwidth regardless of dynamics. Simulation results show that the proposed architecture significantly outperforms existing Rydberg atomic receiver, effectively alleviating performance degradation in high-dynamic environments.
Rydberg atomic quantum receivers represent a transformative approach to achieving high-sensitivity, broadband, and miniaturized radio frequency (RF) reception. However, existing static signal models for Rydberg atomic receivers rely on the steady-state assumption of atomic quantum states, which cannot fully describe the signal reception process of dynamic signals. To fill in this gap, in this paper, we present a transfer function-based model to compute the dynamic signal response of Rydberg atomic receivers in closed form. Specifically, by applying small-signal perturbation techniques to the quantum master equation, we derive closed-form Laplace domain transfer functions that characterize the receiver’s dynamic responses to time-varying signal fields. To gain more insights into the quantum-based RF-photocurrent conversion process, we further introduce the concept of quantum transconductance that describes the quantum system as an equivalent classical system. Simulations for Rydberg atomic receivers validate the proposed signal model, and demonstrate the possibility of quantum receivers to outperform classical electronic receivers through the improvement of quantum transconductance.
Rydberg atomic receivers (RARs) leverage the quantum coherence of highly excited atoms to overcome the intrinsic physical limitations of conventional radio frequency receivers (RFRs), particularly in sensitivity, and bandwidth. This innovative technology represents a paradigm shift in wireless communication systems. This paper systematically explains the fundamental sensing mechanisms of RARs, contrasts their differences from RFRs in working principles and architectures. We explore their advantages in emerging wireless communication scenarios, such as integrated sensing and communications, quantum Rydberg radar, and quantum space communications. Practical challenges, such as limited instantaneous bandwidth and nonlinear distortion, are identified. To address these issues, mitigation strategies and future research directions are also outlined, supporting the advancement of RAR-aided wireless systems.
Abstract Continuously tunable Rydberg atomic receivers (CT-RARs) based on the AC Stark effect overcome the discrete-frequency limitations of resonant RARs, enabling wideband continuous spectrum coverage. However, existing studies lack a dynamic system model tailored to the CT-RAR, and nonlinear distortion characteristics remain poorly understood, which hinders further optimization of receiver sensitivity. This paper presents theoretical system modeling and performance analysis of the CT-RAR. A small-signal linearized dynamic model is established using time-dependent perturbation theory. We derive closed-form expressions for the dynamic frequency response and prove that the slope of the static response curve is strictly equivalent to the dynamic zero-intermediate-frequency gain. Further, the nonlinear distortion characteristics of the CT-RAR are analyzed using Floquet theory, and the total harmonic distortion under varying signal strengths is evaluated. Finally, we perform a parameter-dependence analysis. The CT-RAR exhibits inherent frequency-selection capability across a wide frequency range. This paper offers a theoretical foundation for guiding the practical design of CT-RARs.
Rydberg atomic receivers represent a transformative approach to achieving high-sensitivity, broadband, and miniaturized radio frequency (RF) reception. However, existing static signal models for Rydberg atomic receivers rely on the steady-state assumption of atomic quantum states, which cannot fully describe the signal reception process of dynamic signals. To fill in this gap, in this paper, we present a general model to compute the dynamic signal response of Rydberg atomic receivers in closed form. Specifically, by applying small-signal perturbation techniques to the quantum master equation, we derive closed-form Laplace domain transfer functions that characterize the receiver’s dynamic responses to time-varying signal fields. To gain more insights into the quantum-based RF-photocurrent conversion process, we further introduce the concept of quantum transconductance that describes the quantum system as an equivalent classical system. By applying quantum transconductance, we quantify the influence of in-band blackbody radiation (BBR) noise on the atomic receiver sensitivity. Extensive simulations for Rydberg atomic receivers validate the proposed signal model, and demonstrate the possibility of quantum receivers to outperform classical electronic receivers through the improvement of quantum transconductance.
We demonstrate an atom-based amplitude-modulation (AM) receiver for digital communication with a weak continuous frequency carrier using a Rydberg AC Stark effect in a vapor cell and achieve the operating carrier frequency continuously from 0.1 GHz to 5 GHz at a single Rydberg state. A strong local oscillator (LO) field E LO acts as a gain to shift the Rydberg level to a high sensitivity region, and a weak carrier field E Carr keeps the same frequency with the LO field. The digital baseband signals are encoded onto the E Carr using the amplitude modulation technique with the different modulation frequency. The response of Rydberg atom to the baseband signal is probed via a Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). The measured instantaneous bandwidth of the system is about 230 kHz. To demonstrate the performance of our system for an actual communication, we consider a color image as an example, the received image displays that the bit error rate (BER) is less than 5% when the maximum data transfer rate is about 238 kbps. Meanwhile, our system shows the weak carrier field of E Carr ≥ 13.52 μ V/cm can be used for the practical communication with BER less than 5%. Our works break the limitation that EIT-AT based atomic receivers only operate at the near resonant frequencies of the Rydberg transitions, making this emerging of quantum technology close to the practical application with high sensitivity and broad bandwidth.