Quantum Communications in Future Networks and Services

Abstract

Over the last few years, we have witnessed an impressive growth of data traffic and a progressive Digital Transformation of Industry and Society: the deployment of the ultra-broadband and low latency network infrastructures (e.g., 5G) are leading to a global digitalization of several domains. These techno-economic trends are expected to continue and even accelerate in the next decade, at end of which, 6G and smart networks and services will be exploited. Innovation will continue to drive the global economy into the next decade. This paper draws some technology trends and applications scenarios for this horizon, where Quantum Optical Communications are likely to disrupt Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Telecommunications. Among the enabling technologies and solutions moving in this direction, this paper briefly addresses: quantum optical switching and computing, THz-to-optical conversions and advanced metamaterials for smart radio-optical programmable environments and Artificial Intelligence. The paper concludes with the description of a future application scenario, called Quantum Optical Twin, where the above Quantum Optical Communications technologies are exploited to provide services such as: ultra-massive scale communications for connected spaces and ambient intelligence, holographic telepresence, tactile Internet, new paradigms of brain computer interactions, innovative forms of communications.

6G Enabled Smart Infrastructure for Sustainable Society: Opportunities, Challenges, and Research Roadmap

“…Barring the complexity, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based RL algorithm must be meticulously designed to reduce computational resources required on these devices [ 23 ]. Quantum communication [ 26 ] offers a promising approach to circumventing the challenge of limited computational resources and energy efficiency [ 26 ]. Applying Artificial Neural Networks in IoT also comes with the trade-off challenge between accuracy and computational/energy requirements [ 23 ].…”

“…Quantum computing can significantly accelerate and enhance AI algorithms that require big data and massive training [ 81 ]. The concept of quantum optical communication opens up innovation in telecommunication and ICT, and quantum optics is a providential paradigm for the transmission and control of optical signals to have a better degree of freedom [ 26 ]. The authors in [ 26 ] delineated the infusion of quantum and THz communication in the actualization of 6G.…”

“…AI has been proposed to form a self-sustaining system with the digital replica [ 8 ]. Quantum optic communication has also been proposed as a key enabling technology for the actualization of the digital replica [ 26 ]. Digital replica is one of the new applications not in the context of 5G, proposed to be enabled by 6G; further research is required in this field.…”

“…These challenges have been delineated in this article. Other enabling technologies such as Quantum Communication [ 26 ], Ambient Backscatter Communication Systems (ABCS) [ 27 ], Blockchain [ 28 ], UAVs [ 29 ], and more have also been proposed and treated extensively in this paper. Future generation networks are desired to have high speed and low latency and secured communication.…”

Emerging Complexity in Distributed Intelligent Systems

“…Quantum communication networks, which are currently starting to implement classical AIA facilities, generally are realized at the principle of proofs level [ 95 ]. Their complexity and capabilities are not yet known in detail [ 96 ].…”