Rydberg Atomic Receivers for Wireless Communications: Fundamentals, Potential, Applications, and Challenges

TL;DR

This paper reviews Rydberg atomic receivers that use quantum coherence to enhance wireless communication capabilities, discussing their fundamentals, advantages, challenges, and future research directions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of Rydberg atomic receivers, highlighting their potential to revolutionize wireless communication systems with quantum technology.

Findings

RARs offer higher sensitivity and bandwidth than conventional RF receivers

Identifies key practical challenges like limited bandwidth and nonlinear distortion

Suggests mitigation strategies and future research pathways

Abstract

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.