Quantum Network Simulators Integration with Open-Source 5G Mobile Stack

Publikation: Beitrag in Buch/Konferenzbericht/Sammelband/GutachtenBeitrag in KonferenzbandBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

Abstract

The rise of quantum computing poses a major threat to traditional ciphers, specifically making the Radio Access Network (RAN) vulnerable to future quantum-based attacks. To address this challenge, this paper proposes quantum-inspired RAN (Q-RAN), a next-generation framework designed to future-proof telecom networks against quantum threats. As a foundation, to evaluate, we integrate quantum network simulators with the Open-Source OpenAirInterface (OAI) stack to deploy a 5G standalone network capable of supporting quantum operations. We analyzed these, and the best fit is taken for quantum proofing. This paper considered four different quantum simulators - QuNetSim, SimQN, SeQuence, and NetSquid - for integrating with the 5G Open source stack. The framework generated by these simulators is called Quantum Gateways (namely Qtunnels) enables seamless message exchange between quantum and classical RAN components. This integrated architecture showcases how quantum simulators can be harmonized on existing 5G infrastructure, establishing a resilient and adaptable telco ecosystem catered to the quantum era or post-quantum era. In addition, this paper quantifies the Qtunnel impact - F1 Interface - between the Central Unit (CU) and Distribution Unit (DU) of RAN. The results show that the Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC)-enabled F1 interfaces provide a two-fold overhead delay when compared to the benchmark delay, however, the PQC-enabled RAN interfaces are resistant to quantum threats.

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
TitelGLOBECOM 2025 - 2025 IEEE Global Communications Conference
Herausgeber (Verlag)Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Seiten5746-5751
Seitenumfang6
ISBN (elektronisch)979-8-3315-7781-0
ISBN (Print)979-8-3315-7782-7
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - März 2026
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Publikationsreihe

ReiheProceedings - IEEE Global Communications Conference, GLOBECOM
ISSN2334-0983

Konferenz

Titel2025 IEEE Global Communications Conference
UntertitelSustainable Communications for Ubiquitous Intelligence
KurztitelGLOBECOM 2025
Dauer8 - 12 Dezember 2025
Webseite
OrtTaipei International Convention Center (TICC) & Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC)
StadtTaipei
LandTaiwan

Externe IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-8469-9573/work/217234977

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • 5G Stack, PQC, Quantum cipher threats, Quantum Simulators