Joint communication and sensing over the lossy bosonic quantum channel

We study the problem of joint communication and sensing for data transmission systems using optimal quantum instruments in order to transmit data and, at the same time, estimate environmental parameters. In particular we consider the specific but at the same time generic case of a noiseless bosonic classical-quantum channel where part of the transmitted light is reflected back to the transmitter. While sending messages to the receiver, the transmitter tries at the same time to estimate the reflectivity of the channel. Extending earlier results on similar but finite-dimensional systems, we are able to characterize optimal tradeoffs between communication and detection rates. We also compare quantum performance to analogous classical models, quantifying the quantum advantage.