Hybrid 5G 6G atomic laser networks for quantum resilient non terrestrial connectivity
One of the most recent advancements in sixth-generation (6G) wireless technology is the development of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) that enable ultra-secure, low-latency, and high-throughput connectivity. This paper presents a hybrid architecture that integrates hyperfine-state-encoded atomic laser links with 5G/6G mmWave/THz communication channels to establish reliable terrestrial–space connectivity. The atomic laser subsystem exploits quantum entanglement and the no-cloning theorem to provide intrinsic resistance to eavesdropping, while the 5G/6G framework ensures robust and high-capacity terrestrial communication. A reinforcement learning–based controller dynamically switches among transmission modes based on real-time signal-to-noise ratio, atmospheric turbulence, and security requirements. Analytical models for latency, quantum bit error rate, and throughput are developed, and system performance is validated using NS-3 network simulations and MATLAB-based quantum-channel analysis. Simulation results demonstrate a 90% reduction in eavesdropping probability, sub-millisecond latency, and throughput of up to 8 Gbps over a 300 km satellite-to-ground link, outperforming conventional free-space optical benchmarks. The proposed framework addresses critical NTN security limitations and aligns with the objectives of 6G integrated sensing and communication, enabling quantum-resilient global networks for military, space, and critical infrastructure applications.
Authors
- Akmal Khan
- Amini Hikmatullah
- Masud Jabir
Institutions
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Discover Quantum Science
- Published
- 2026-03-17
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s44464-026-00011-1
- Primary Topic
- Optical Wireless Communication Technologies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00