Quantum-Secured Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks: Concept, Framework, and Case Study

Understand

In the upcoming 6G era, existing terrestrial networks have evolved toward space-air-ground integrated networks (SAGIN), providing ultra-high data rates, seamless network coverage, and ubiquitous intelligence for communications of applications and services.

• However, conventional communications in SAGIN still face data confidentiality issues.
• Fortunately, the concept of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over SAGIN is able to provide information-theoretic security for secure communications in SAGIN with quantum cryptography.
• Therefore, in this paper, we propose the quantum-secured SAGIN which is feasible to achieve proven secure communications using quantum mechanics to protect data channels between space, air, and ground nodes.