Low-powered microwave quantum-enhanced communication: conceptualisation and preliminary design

2026-07-22

This proposal is a contribution of quantum technologies to the communications engineering field, with a potentially high societal impact. Its aim is to theoretical study low-powered microwave quantum communication protocols in realistic scenarios, via developing a quantum-enhanced version of Ambient Backscatter Communication (AmBC). This is a high-innovative paradigm that makes use of signals already present in the environment - e.g. generated by a TV-tower - in order to implement low-powered communication between devices, with applications in healthcare and wireless communication. The quantum-enhanced version will gain largely in energy-efficiency with respect to the current quantum BC and quantum radar designs, keeping the same quantum advantage. The proposal will approach the problem at different levels of knowledge: from the fundamental level to the final engineering design. I will build a rigorous framework based on resource theory for how to use open-air quantum microwaves to perform a quantum-enhanced backscatter communication in a very lossy scenario. This will be used to introduce a novel microwave quantum illumination protocol based on Schrödinger's cat states instead of Gaussian states. My approach will need only passive devices and no photodetection, solving major issues for a microwave implementation and allowing to extend the paradigm to the low-powered AmBC case. This is a multidisciplinary project, touching aspects of quantum information, low-temperature physics and communications engineering, for which there will be a double transfer-of-knowledge with the Aalto staff members. The research training will be complemented by a set of transferable skills including Self- and Team-Leadership, Pedagogy, Communication, which will make me more employable both inside and outside academia. The host has been chosen as the only EU place with both experts in AmBC and superconducting circuits in the staff.

Finland

2026-02-15