Clock Synchronization for Drone-Based Entanglement Quantum Key Distribution
Jinquan Huang, Bangying Tang, Hui Han, JianJi Yi, Bo Xu, Chunqing Wu, Xiangwei Zhu, Wanrong Yu, Huicun Yu, Jiahao Li, Shihai Sun, Bo Liu

TL;DR
This paper introduces a drone-compatible clock synchronization protocol using GNSS and entanglement-based timing correction, achieving 24 ps RMS accuracy, crucial for high-fidelity quantum key distribution in dynamic environments.
Contribution
It presents a novel synchronization method suitable for drone-based quantum networks, overcoming SWaP constraints and enabling reliable entanglement distribution.
Findings
Achieved 24 ps RMS synchronization accuracy in simulated free-space channels.
Demonstrated the protocol's effectiveness without requiring a precision reference clock.
Enabled stable entanglement distribution over dynamic distances.
Abstract
Drone-based entanglement distribution provides full spatiotemporal coverage for quantum networks, enabling quantum key distribution (QKD) in dynamic environments. The security of QKD fundamentally depends on high-fidelity quantum state measurements, for which high-precision clock synchronization is indispensable, as timing jitter is inversely correlated with quantum state fidelity. However, drone-based clock synchronization is constrained by SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) limitations and dynamic mobility effects. Here, we propose a synchronization protocol for drone-based entanglement distribution, leveraging nanosecond-accurate Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) timing and entanglement-based timing correction to overcome SWaP constraints. Experimental results demonstrate 24 ps RMS synchronization in simulated free-space quantum channels with distance dynamics, without requiring…
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Taxonomy
TopicsMolecular Communication and Nanonetworks · Network Time Synchronization Technologies · Quantum Information and Cryptography
