Quantum-Assisted Packet Synchronization for 5G/6G: Architecture, Standards Alignment, and Positioning Gains
Research output: Contribution to book/Conference proceedings/Anthology/Report › Conference contribution › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
Accurate time and phase distribution remain central requirements for emerging communication systems, where synchronization affects radio coordination, fronthaul stability, and network-based positioning. Current approaches rely heavily on GNSS, the Precision Time Protocol (PTP), and Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE). Still, their performance is limited by delay asymmetry, accumulated jitter across long paths, and GNSS's vulnerability to blockage or interference. Recent progress in optical and quantum time-transfer techniques, particularly time-correlated entangled photons (TCEP) and optical lattice clocks (OLCs), offers an opportunity to improve both stability and calibration accuracy. This work proposes a practical synchronization framework that integrates OLC-based time references, TCEP-assisted calibration between core nodes, and standards-compliant packet-based delivery using PTP/SyncE in accordance with ITU-T G.8271. We describe how to interface photonic subsystems, FPGA-based timestamping hardware, and telecom boundary clocks without modifying existing radio functions. We also evaluate how improved synchronization propagates to key applications: uplink and downlink TDoA positioning, fronthaul and TSN timing stability, and NTN deployments where GNSS is unreliable. The architecture is designed for incremental deployment and aligns with current operational practices.
Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings - 2026 International Conference on Quantum Communications, Networking, and Computing, QCNC 2026 |
| Publisher | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) |
| Pages | 206-215 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| ISBN (electronic) | 979-8-3315-6110-9 |
| ISBN (print) | 979-8-3315-6111-6 |
| Publication status | Published - 7 May 2026 |
| Peer-reviewed | Yes |
Conference
| Title | 3rd International Conference on Quantum Communications, Networking, and Computing |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | QCNC 2026 |
| Conference number | 3 |
| Duration | 6 - 8 April 2026 |
| Website | |
| Location | Oriental Hotel Kobe |
| City | Kobe |
| Country | Japan |
External IDs
| ORCID | /0000-0001-8469-9573/work/217886116 |
|---|
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- 6G, ITU-T G.8271, NTN positioning, optical lattice clocks, PTP, SyncE, TCEP, Time synchronization