Towards A Global Quantum Internet: A Review of Challenges Facing Aerial Quantum Networks

TL;DR

The paper addresses the design and feasibility of a global quantum internet enabled by aerial quantum networks. It reviews fundamental quantum principles and surveys how drones, balloons, and satellites can form a layered ground–air–space network. Key challenges identified include atmospheric turbulence, alignment, and synchronization, with proposed solutions such as a hybrid beam model and link-budget optimization. The authors argue for a phased, standards-driven development of a layered, low-latency, quantum-secure network augmented by repeaters and real-time channel estimation.

Abstract

Quantum networks use principles of quantum physics to create secure communication networks. Moving these networks off the ground using drones, balloons, or satellites could help increase the scalability of these networks. This article reviews how such aerial links work, what makes them difficult to build, and the possible solutions that can be used to overcome these problems. By combining ground stations, aerial relays, and orbiting satellites into one seamless system, we move closer to a practical quantum internet.

Figures (3)

• Figure 1: A schematic diagram of quantum network consisting of multiple nodes. Green light cones represents transmittance of qubits, and purple lines denote the flow of classical messages. A quantum network in current stage relies on transmission of both quantum and classical bits.
• Figure 4: Aerial-Quantum Communication Network Diagram. There are several layers in this network setting. There are ground based QKD networks, the lower-altitude drone-network, inter-connected network between aircraft, HAPs, and UAVs, and finally the satellite to ground based communication network. This diagram illustrates how non-terrestrial quantum networks work alongside currently existing satellite to ground based networks.
• Figure 5: Different components of aerial communication network with air turbulence profile. The turbulence at different altitudes are shown on the left axis, where we can see drones operate in severely high turbulent zones and satellites operates in the least turbulent zones. The main idea behind using drones in these network setting is to provide relay stations for satellite to ground based communication, such that the distance of travel for qubits is also reduced by use of these relay points in different atmospheric levels (aircraft and then drones), thus attaining a better quality of transmission.