Work

Multiplane Sub-Nanosecond Timing via SyncE/PTP Enabling 12.5 Mqb/s Synchronous TDMA in Quantum Networks

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Telecom standards efficiently enable time synchronization mechanisms in multi-node Quantum Networks (QNs) by combining Synchronous Ethernet (SyncE) and Precision Time Protocol (PTP). The architecture explored in this work utilizes SyncE to provide all connected nodes with a stable and precise frequency reference, adjustable in the range from 1 Hz to 125MHz, obtaining sub-nanosecond temporal jitter in the real-time/quantum plane. This reference is complemented with PTP to provide a distributed time reference for synchronization with a microsecond-level temporal allocation capability. In particular, in the control plane, PTP enables time division multiple access (TDMA) for sharing the quantum channel in multi-node quantum networks QNs. It is demonstrated that the proposed architecture achieves nanosecond synchronous transfer in the real-time/quantum plane and allocates microsecond time windows through the control plane. The theoretical model and experimental results validate performing common quantum communications operations with 98% fidelity and 10−2quantum bit error rate (QBER) at an emission rate of 12.5 Mqb/s. The results confirm that SyncE/PTP synchronization is a viable and scalable solution for future multi-node QN infrastructures.

Source: IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications

DOI: 10.1109/jsac.2026.3698036

Authors: Marc Jofre, Anna Agustí-Torra, David Rincón-Rivera

Institution: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Information and Cryptography

Subfield: Artificial Intelligence

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,645