Fast and simple qubit-based synchronization for quantum key distribution

TL;DR

Qubit4Sync is a novel, hardware-efficient synchronization method for QKD that uses existing qubits and a new low-complexity cross-correlation algorithm, proven robust in real-world tests.

Contribution

It introduces a hardware-efficient synchronization technique using existing qubits and a novel low-complexity algorithm for high-loss channels in QKD.

Findings

Achieves minimal computational complexity for synchronization.

Proven robust in real QKD implementation.

Requires no additional hardware beyond standard QKD setup.

Abstract

We propose Qubit4Sync, a synchronization method for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) setups, based on the same qubits exchanged during the protocol and without requiring additional hardware other than the one necessary to prepare and measure the quantum states. Our approach introduces a new cross-correlation algorithm achieving the lowest computational complexity, to our knowledge, for high channel losses. We tested the robustness of our scheme in a real QKD implementation.