Delay-Doppler-Domain Channel Estimation and Reduced-Complexity Detection of Faster-than-Nyquist Signaling Aided OTFS

We conceive a novel channel estimation and data detection scheme for OTFS-modulated faster-than-Nyquist (FTN) transmission over doubly selective fading channels, aiming for enhancing the spectral efficiency and Doppler resilience. The delay-Doppler (DD) domain's input-output relationship of OTFS-FTN signaling is derived by employing a root-raised cosine (RRC) shaping filter. More specifically, we design our DD-domain channel estimator for FTN-based pilot transmission, where the pilot symbol interval is lower than that defined by the classic Nyquist criterion. Moreover, we propose a reduced-complexity linear minimum mean square error equalizer, supporting noise whitening, where the FTN-induced inter-symbol interference (ISI) matrix is approximated by a sparse one. Our performance results demonstrate that the proposed OTFS-FTN scheme is capable of enhancing the achievable information rate, while attaining a comparable BER performance to both that of its Nyquist-based OTFS counterpart and to other FTN transmission schemes, which employ the same RRC shaping filter.

Quantum Internet in the Sky: Vision, Challenges, Solutions, and Future Directions

This article envisions the concept of a ``Quantum Internet in the Sky", aiming to establish ubiquitous quantum communication links among distant nodes via free-space optical channels. Our key focus is on deploying quantum communication terminals on non-terrestrial platforms, specifically unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites, at various altitudes. By highlighting the unique characteristics of these platforms compared to terrestrial counterparts, we address inherent challenges and discuss potential solutions through meticulous system designs and analyses of typical non-terrestrial quantum communication scenarios. Finally, we illuminate the path forward by proposing essential future directions that underscore the integration of high-dimensional multipartite quantum communications with sensing, computing, and intelligence for multiple users en route to realizing a fully operational Quantum Internet.

Simultaneous Classical and Quantum Communications: Recent Progress and Three Challenges

A critical aspect of next-generation wireless networks is the integration of quantum communications to guard against quantum computing threats to classical networks. Despite successful experimental demonstrations, integrating quantum communications into the classical infrastructure faces substantial challenges, including high costs, compatibility issues, and extra hardware deployment to accommodate both classical and quantum communication equipment. To mitigate these challenges, we explore novel protocols that enable simultaneous classical and quantum communications, relying on a single set of transceivers to jointly modulate and decode classical and quantum information onto the same signal. Additionally, we emphasize extending quantum communication capabilities beyond traditional optical bands into the terahertz, even possibly to millimeter-wave and microwave frequencies, thereby broadening the potential horizon of quantum-secure applications. Finally, we identify open problems that must be addressed to facilitate practical implementation.

Precoded faster-than-Nyquist signaling using optimal power allocation for OTFS

A precoded orthogonal time frequency space (OTFS) modulation scheme relying on faster-than-Nyquist (FTN) transmission over doubly selective fading channels is {proposed}, which enhances the spectral efficiency and improves the Doppler resilience. We derive the input-output relationship of the FTN signaling in the delay-Doppler domain. Eigenvalue decomposition (EVD) is used for eliminating both the effects of inter-symbol interference and correlated additive noise encountered in the delay-Doppler domain to enable efficient symbol-by-symbol demodulation. Furthermore, the power allocation coefficients of individual frames are optimized for maximizing the mutual information under the constraint of the derived total transmit power. Our performance results demonstrate that the proposed FTN-based OTFS scheme can enhance the information rate while achieving a comparable BER performance to that of its conventional Nyquist-based OTFS counterpart that employs the same root-raised-cosine shaping filter.

Optical RISs Improve the Secret Key Rate of Free-Space QKD in HAP-to-UAV Scenarios

Large optical reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (ORISs) are proposed for employment on building rooftops to facilitate free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) between high-altitude platforms (HAPs) and low-altitude platforms (LAPs). Due to practical constraints, the communication terminals can only be positioned beneath the LAPs, preventing direct upward links to HAPs. By deploying ORISs on rooftops to reflect the beam arriving from HAPs towards LAPs from below, reliable HAP-to-LAP links can be established. To accurately characterize the optical beam propagation, we develop an analytical channel model based on extended Huygens-Fresnel principles for representing both the atmospheric turbulence effects and the hovering fluctuations of LAPs. This model facilitates adaptive ORIS beam-width control through linear, quadratic, and focusing phase shifts, which are capable of effectively mitigating the detrimental effects of beam broadening and pointing errors (PE). Furthermore, we derive a closed-form expression for the information-theoretic bound of the QKD secret key rate (SKR) of the HAP-to-LAP links. Our findings demonstrate that quadratic phase shifts enhance the SKR at high HAP-ORIS zenith angles or mild PE conditions by narrowing the beam to optimal sizes. By contrast, linear phase shifts are advantageous at low HAP-ORIS zenith angles under moderate-to-high PE by diverging the beam to mitigate LAP fluctuations.