A Hybrid Noise Approach to Modelling of Free-Space Satellite Quantum Communication Channel for Continuous-Variable QKD

This paper significantly advances the application of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) in Free- Space Optics (FSO) satellite-based quantum communication. We propose an innovative satellite quantum channel model and derive the secret quantum key distribution rate achievable through this channel. Unlike existing models that approximate the noise in quantum channels as merely Gaussian distributed, our model incorporates a hybrid noise analysis, accounting for both quantum Poissonian noise and classical Additive-White-Gaussian Noise (AWGN). This hybrid approach acknowledges the dual vulnerability of continuous variables (CV) Gaussian quantum channels to both quantum and classical noise, thereby offering a more realistic assessment of the quantum Secret Key Rate (SKR). This paper delves into the variation of SKR with the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) under various influencing parameters. We identify and analyze critical factors such as reconciliation efficiency, transmission coefficient, transmission efficiency, the quantum Poissonian noise parameter, and the satellite altitude. These parameters are pivotal in determining the SKR in FSO satellite quantum channels, highlighting the challenges of satellitebased quantum communication. Our work provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and optimizing SKR in satellite-based QKD systems, paving the way for more efficient and secure quantum communication networks.

Hybrid Semantic-Shannon Communications

Semantic communications are considered a promising beyond-Shannon/bit paradigm to reduce network traffic and increase reliability, thus making wireless networks more energy efficient, robust, and sustainable. However, the performance is limited by the efficiency of the semantic transceivers, i.e., the achievable "similarity" between the transmitted and received signals. Under strict similarity conditions, semantic transmission may not be applicable and bit communication is mandatory. In this paper, for the first time in the literature, we propose a multi-carrier Hybrid Semantic-Shannon communication system where, without loss of generality, the case of text transmission is investigated. To this end, a joint semantic-bit transmission selection and power allocation optimization problem is formulated, aiming to minimize two transmission delay metrics widely used in the literature, subject to strict similarity thresholds. Despite their non-convexity, both problems are decomposed into a convex and a mixed linear integer programming problem by using alternating optimization, both of which can be solved optimally. Furthermore, to improve the performance of the proposed hybrid schemes, a novel association of text sentences to subcarriers is proposed based on the data size of the sentences and the channel gains of the subcarriers. We show that the proposed association is optimal in terms of transmission delay. Numerical simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid semantic-bit communication scheme and the derived sentence-to-subcarrier association, and provide useful insights into the design parameters of such systems.

Hybrid Quantum Noise Approximation and Pattern Analysis on Parameterized Component Distributions

Noise is a vital factor in determining the accuracy of processing the information of the quantum channel. One must consider classical noise effects associated with quantum noise sources for more realistic modelling of quantum channels. A hybrid quantum noise model incorporating both quantum Poisson noise and classical additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) can be interpreted as an infinite mixture of Gaussians with weightage from the Poisson distribution. The entropy measure of this function is difficult to calculate. This research developed how the infinite mixture can be well approximated by a finite mixture distribution depending on the Poisson parametric setting compared to the number of mixture components. The mathematical analysis of the characterization of hybrid quantum noise has been demonstrated based on Gaussian and Poisson parametric analysis. This helps in the pattern analysis of the parametric values of the component distribution, and it also helps in the calculation of hybrid noise entropy to understand hybrid quantum noise better.

An RIS-enabled Time Reversal Scheme for Multipath Near-Field Channels

Time reversal (TR) is a promising technique that exploits multipaths for achieving energy focusing in high-frequency wideband communications. In this letter, we focus on a TR scheme facilitated by a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) which, due to the higher frequency and large array aperture, operates in the near-field region. The proposed scheme enriches the propagation environment for the TR in such weak scattering conditions and does not need channel knowledge for the RIS configuration. Specifically, the RIS is employed to create multiple virtual propagation paths that are required to efficiently apply the TR. We derive a performance bound for the proposed scheme under near-field modeling through the received signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and we examine how various system design parameters affect the performance. We observe that a linear RIS topology maximizes the number of resolvable paths. It is also demonstrated that the proposed scheme improves the SNR, while for a large number of elements it can outperform the conventional passive beamforming at the RIS.

DCSK-based Waveform Design for Self-sustainable RIS-aided Noncoherent SWIPT

This paper investigates the problem of transmit waveform design in the context of a chaotic signal-based self-sustainable reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided system for simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT). Specifically, we propose a differential chaos shift keying (DCSK)-based RIS-aided point-to-point set-up, where the RIS is partitioned into two non-overlapping surfaces. The elements of the first sub-surface perform energy harvesting (EH), which in turn, provide the required power to the other sub-surface operating in the information transfer (IT) mode. In this framework, by considering a generalized frequency-selective Nakagami-m fading scenario as well as the nonlinearities of the EH process, we derive closed-form analytical expressions for both the bit error rate (BER) at the receiver and the harvested power at the RIS. Our analysis demonstrates, that both these performance metrics depend on the parameters of the wireless channel, the transmit waveform design, and the number of reflecting elements at the RIS, which switch between the IT and EH modes, depending on the application requirements. Moreover, we show that, having more reflecting elements in the IT mode is not always beneficial and also, for a given acceptable BER, we derive a lower bound on the number of RIS elements that need to be operated in the EH mode. Furthermore, for a fixed RIS configuration, we investigate a trade-off between the achievable BER and the harvested power at the RIS and accordingly, we propose appropriate transmit waveform designs. Finally, our numerical results illustrate the importance of our intelligent DCSK-based waveform design on the considered framework.

MIMO with 1-bit Pre/Post-Coding Resolution: A Quantum Annealing Approach

In this paper, we study the problem of digital pre/post-coding design in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems with 1-bit resolution per complex dimension. The optimal solution that maximizes the received signal-to-noise ratio relies on an NP-hard combinatorial problem that requires exhaustive searching with exponential complexity. By using the principles of alternating optimization and quantum annealing (QA), an iterative QA-based algorithm is proposed that achieves near-optimal performance with polynomial complexity. The algorithm is associated with a rigorous mathematical framework that casts the pre/post-coding vector design to appropriate real-valued quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problems. Experimental results in a state-of-the-art D-WAVE QA device validate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. To further improve the efficiency of the D-WAVE quantum device, a new pre-processing technique which preserves the quadratic QUBO matrix from the detrimental effects of the Hamiltonian noise through non-linear companding, is proposed. The proposed pre-processing technique significantly improves the quality of the D-WAVE solutions as well as the occurrence probability of the optimal solution.

Wireless Information and Energy Transfer in the Era of 6G Communications

Wireless information and energy transfer (WIET) represents an emerging paradigm which employs controllable transmission of radio-frequency signals for the dual purpose of data communication and wireless charging. As such, WIET is widely regarded as an enabler of envisioned 6G use cases that rely on energy-sustainable Internet-of-Things (IoT) networks, such as smart cities and smart grids. Meeting the quality-of-service demands of WIET, in terms of both data transfer and power delivery, requires effective co-design of the information and energy signals. In this article, we present the main principles and design aspects of WIET, focusing on its integration in 6G networks. First, we discuss how conventional communication notions such as resource allocation and waveform design need to be revisited in the context of WIET. Next, we consider various candidate 6G technologies that can boost WIET efficiency, namely, holographic multiple-input multiple-output, near-field beamforming, terahertz communication, intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs), and reconfigurable (fluid) antenna arrays. We introduce respective WIET design methods, analyze the promising performance gains of these WIET systems, and discuss challenges, open issues, and future research directions. Finally, a near-field energy beamforming scheme and a power-based IRS beamforming algorithm are experimentally validated using a wireless energy transfer testbed. The vision of WIET in communication systems has been gaining momentum in recent years, with constant progress with respect to theoretical but also practical aspects. The comprehensive overview of the state of the art of WIET presented in this paper highlights the potentials of WIET systems as well as their overall benefits in 6G networks.

A Machine Learning Approach for Optimizing Hybrid Quantum Noise Clusters for Gaussian Quantum Channel Capacity

This work contributes to the advancement of quantum communication by visualizing hybrid quantum noise in higher dimensions and optimizing the capacity of the quantum channel by using machine learning (ML). Employing the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm, the quantum channel parameters are iteratively adjusted to estimate the channel capacity, facilitating the categorization of quantum noise data in higher dimensions into a finite number of clusters. In contrast to previous investigations that represented the model in lower dimensions, our work describes the quantum noise as a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) with mixing weights derived from a Poisson distribution. The objective was to model the quantum noise using a finite mixture of Gaussian components while preserving the mixing coefficients from the Poisson distribution. Approximating the infinite Gaussian mixture with a finite number of components makes it feasible to visualize clusters of quantum noise data without modifying the original probability density function. By implementing the EM algorithm, the research fine-tuned the channel parameters, identified optimal clusters, improved channel capacity estimation, and offered insights into the characteristics of quantum noise within an ML framework.

Transmit and Receive Antenna Port Selection for Channel Capacity Maximization in Fluid-MIMO Systems

In this letter, we study a discrete optimization problem, namely, the maximization of channel capacity in fluid multiple-input multiple-output (fluid-MIMO) systems through the selection of antenna ports/positions at the transmitter and the receiver. First, we present a new joint convex relaxation (JCR) problem by using an upper bound on the channel capacity and exploiting the binary nature of optimization variables. Then, we develop and analyze two optimization algorithms with different performance-complexity tradeoffs: the first is based on JCR and reduced exhaustive search (JCR&RES), while the second on JCR and alternating optimization (JCR&AO). Finally, numerical results show that the proposed algorithms significantly outperform two baseline schemes, the random port selection and the conventional MIMO setup.

Optimizing Reconfigurable Antenna MIMO Systems with Coherent Ising Machines

Reconfigurable antenna multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is a promising technology for upcoming 6G communication systems. In this paper, we deal with the problem of configuration selection for reconfigurable antenna MIMO by leveraging Coherent Ising Machines (CIMs). By adopting the CIM as a heuristic solver for the Ising problem, the optimal antenna configuration that maximizes the received signal-to-noise ratio is investigated. A mathematical framework that converts the selection problem into a CIM-compatible unconstrained quadratic formulation is presented. Numerical studies show that the proposed CIM-based design outperforms classical counterparts and achieves near-optimal performance (similar to exponentially complex exhaustive searching) while ensuring polynomial complexity.