Combining Classical and Quantum Communications in 6G NTN architecture: Challenges and Opportunities

Dowhuszko AA, Papanikolaou VK, Galambos M, Guerra-Yánez C, Salgado HM, Djordjević GT, Kleinpaß P, Doelman N (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

IEEE Communications Standards Magazine IEEE Communications Society

DOI: 10.1109/MCOMSTD.2026.3718627

Abstract

Future Sixth-Generation (6G) networks are expected to provide global, secure, and resilient connectivity by tightly integrating terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). Beyond high-data-rate classical communications, this new generation of mobile communication systems opens the door to the deployment of quantum services at a global scale, leveraging space and aerial network elements as native components of the 6G ecosystem. This article explores the joint provision of classical and quantum communications over Free Space Optical (FSO) links in 6G NTNs, with a focus on Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations. It also discusses how quantum communication services, as illustrated through Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), can be integrated with classical feeder and inter-satellite links when FSO payloads on LEO satellites become available. Key physical-layer challenges arising from the coexistence of classical and quantum optical channels are analyzed, including atmospheric effects, crosstalk, filtering, Doppler shifts, and pointing constraints. At the network level, the architectural trade-offs related to satellite orbits, inter-satellite links, and optical ground station deployment are discussed, highlighting open challenges and opportunities toward scalable quantum-enabled 6G NTNs.

Authors with CRIS profile

Vasilis K. Papanikolaou Lehrstuhl für Digitale Übertragung (IDC)

Involved external institutions

Aalto University Espoo FI Finland (FI) Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) / Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem HU Hungary (HU) Czech Technical University in Prague / České vysoké učení technické v Praze CZ Czech Republic (CZ) Universidade do Porto PT Portugal (PT) University of Nish RS Serbia (RS) Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center DE Germany (DE) Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research / Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek (TNO) NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Dowhuszko, A.A., Papanikolaou, V.K., Galambos, M., Guerra-Yánez, C., Salgado, H.M., Djordjević, G.T.,... Doelman, N. (2026). Combining Classical and Quantum Communications in 6G NTN architecture: Challenges and Opportunities. IEEE Communications Standards Magazine. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCOMSTD.2026.3718627

MLA:

Dowhuszko, Alexis A., et al. "Combining Classical and Quantum Communications in 6G NTN architecture: Challenges and Opportunities." IEEE Communications Standards Magazine (2026).

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