Enhanced continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocol via adaptive signal processing

Erkılıç, Ö; Shajilal, B; Conlon, LO; Walsh, A; Das, A; Kish, S; Symul, T; Lam, PK; Assad, SM; Zhao, J

Enhanced continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocol via adaptive signal processing

Erkılıç, Ö Shajilal, B Conlon, LO Walsh, A Das, A

Kish, S Symul, T Lam, PK Assad, SM Zhao, J

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Publisher:: NATURE PORTFOLIO
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Communications Physics, 2025, 8, (1)
Issue Date:: 2025-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Erkılıç, Ö
dc.contributor.author	Shajilal, B
dc.contributor.author	Conlon, LO
dc.contributor.author	Walsh, A
dc.contributor.author	Das, A https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7840-5292
dc.contributor.author	Kish, S
dc.contributor.author	Symul, T
dc.contributor.author	Lam, PK
dc.contributor.author	Assad, SM
dc.contributor.author	Zhao, J
dc.date.accessioned	2026-05-14T07:30:08Z
dc.date.available	2026-05-14T07:30:08Z
dc.date.issued	2025-12-01
dc.identifier.citation	Communications Physics, 2025, 8, (1)
dc.identifier.issn	2399-3650
dc.identifier.issn	2399-3650
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194998
dc.description.abstract	Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides secure communication using quantum mechanics, with continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD) being an attractive solution due to its compatibility with existing telecommunication technology. Its main drawback is susceptibility to signal loss in fibres and free-space links, including satellites, which limits performance. Here we show a software-based protocol enhancing CV-QKD by applying adaptive filters at the transmitter and receiver, allowing the system to dynamically respond to changing channel conditions. Our security analysis avoids relying on Gaussian extremality, giving accurate bounds on an eavesdropper’s information. The protocol can also extract keys in regions that would normally be considered insecure. We demonstrate a threefold increase in secret-key rates compared with the best existing CV-QKD protocol, and in satellite simulations, up to a 400-fold improvement. Because it requires no hardware modifications, our method can be readily integrated into existing systems, paving the way for more practical and robust quantum communication networks.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	NATURE PORTFOLIO
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/CE170100012
dc.relation.ispartof	Communications Physics
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1038/s42005-025-02317-5
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	40 Engineering
dc.subject.classification	49 Mathematical sciences
dc.subject.classification	51 Physical sciences
dc.title	Enhanced continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocol via adaptive signal processing
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	8
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Computer Science
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-05-14T07:30:06Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	8
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides secure communication using quantum mechanics, with continuous-variable QKD (CV-QKD) being an attractive solution due to its compatibility with existing telecommunication technology. Its main drawback is susceptibility to signal loss in fibres and free-space links, including satellites, which limits performance. Here we show a software-based protocol enhancing CV-QKD by applying adaptive filters at the transmitter and receiver, allowing the system to dynamically respond to changing channel conditions. Our security analysis avoids relying on Gaussian extremality, giving accurate bounds on an eavesdropper’s information. The protocol can also extract keys in regions that would normally be considered insecure. We demonstrate a threefold increase in secret-key rates compared with the best existing CV-QKD protocol, and in satellite simulations, up to a 400-fold improvement. Because it requires no hardware modifications, our method can be readily integrated into existing systems, paving the way for more practical and robust quantum communication networks.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194998