Quantum Internet in the Sky Envisions Ubiquitous Communication Via Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Satellites

The vision of a truly global internet demands communication links that extend beyond terrestrial infrastructure, and researchers are now actively exploring the potential of an “Internet in the Sky”. Phuc V. Trinh from The University of Tokyo and Shinya Sugiura, also at The University of Tokyo, lead an investigation into establishing ubiquitous connectivity via free-space optical channels using unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites. This work addresses the unique challenges of non-terrestrial communication, offering meticulously designed systems and analyses to overcome limitations inherent in these platforms, and importantly, charts a course towards integrating advanced communication with computing and artificial intelligence to support multiple users and realise a fully operational global network. The research represents a significant step towards overcoming the limitations of current internet infrastructure and enabling seamless connectivity across the globe.

Aerial Quantum Networks and Platform Challenges This research envisions a future Quantum Internet in the Sky, built upon a multi-layered network of aerial platforms, including low Earth orbit satellites, high-altitude platforms, and lower-altitude aircraft. The study explores the challenges and potential solutions for establishing quantum communication links using these platforms, aiming for widespread quantum services.

The team proposes a three-dimensional mesh network to overcome the limitations of traditional ground-based quantum communication, acknowledging the unique challenges posed by atmospheric turbulence, signal attenuation, platform movement, and maintaining stable links. Potential solutions include adaptive optics, advanced pointing and tracking systems, optimised modulation schemes, and error correction codes to mitigate these challenges. This work emphasizes the importance of integrating quantum communication with other quantum technologies like sensing, computing, and intelligence to create a comprehensive quantum infrastructure, paving the way for ubiquitous quantum services.

Entangled Photons Link High-Altitude Platforms and Ground Stations Researchers engineered a system to establish quantum communication links via non-terrestrial platforms, focusing on high-altitude platforms and low Earth orbit satellites. Experiments employed a high-altitude platform at 20 kilometers altitude to generate entangled photon pairs, distributing individual photons to distant low-altitude platforms, establishing a 24. 8 kilometer communication distance.

The team assessed entanglement transmission fidelity as a function of spectral irradiance, accounting for photon loss, and demonstrated that narrow transmitting divergences, such as 33 microrad, significantly reduce geometrical losses, achieving fidelity exceeding 80 percent even in daytime conditions. To mitigate link outages, scientists recommend a beam-divergence control system that dynamically adjusts beam size, balancing fidelity with link availability. Investigations into low Earth orbit satellite links reveal that utilizing a 1550-nm wavelength is more resilient against turbulence than 810-nm. Ground stations employed large telescope apertures, ranging from 0. 4 to 1. 5 meters, to diminish signal fluctuations through aperture-averaging effects, and sophisticated superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors were deployed, requiring low-loss coupling of the free-space beam into a single-mode fiber achieved through a fine-tracking subsystem integrated with adaptive optics.

Narrow Beam Links Boost Aerial Network Fidelity Scientists are pioneering an “Internet in the Sky”, establishing communication links between aerial and satellite platforms to create a widespread network. Experiments demonstrate that employing a narrow transmitting divergence of 33 μrad achieves high fidelity, exceeding 80 percent even in daytime conditions, while a 1-mrad divergence results in significantly lower performance. Researchers recommend implementing a beam-divergence control system to dynamically adjust beam size, balancing fidelity with link availability. Detailed analysis demonstrates that a state-of-the-art adaptive optics system with a 1. 5kHz control bandwidth can effectively correct turbulence-induced wavefront aberrations at 1550nm across zenith angles up to 80 degrees, whereas the same system is only effective up to 60 degrees when using the 810-nm wavelength.

The team achieved high fidelity transmission, and the data shows that employing large telescope apertures, ranging from 0. 4m to 1. 5m, diminishes signal fluctuations through aperture-averaging effects. This work establishes a foundation for integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial quantum networks over intercontinental distances, spanning thousands of kilometers, and paves the way for future advancements in high-dimensional quantum communication and intelligence.

Sky Networks Enable Global Quantum Communication This work presents a conceptual framework for a “Quantum Internet in the Sky”, envisioning a multi-layered network utilising aerial platforms such as low Earth orbit satellites, high-altitude platforms, and lower-altitude aircraft. Researchers demonstrate the potential for establishing widespread quantum communication links through free-space optical channels, creating a sophisticated three-dimensional mesh network. The study addresses unique challenges posed by these aerial platforms, including atmospheric effects and platform movement, and explores potential solutions through detailed system designs and analyses.

The team highlights the integration of high-dimensional quantum communication with sensing, computing, and intelligence as crucial for realising a fully operational Quantum Internet, promising advancements in areas such as real-time environmental monitoring and optimised autonomous vehicle operation. 👉 More information 🗞 Quantum Internet in the Sky: Vision, Challenges, Solutions, and Future Directions 🧠 ArXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.10181 Tags: