Towards ubiquitous radio access using nanodiamond based quantum receivers

Abstract The development of sixth-generation wireless communication systems demands innovative solutions to address challenges in the deployment of a large number of base stations and the detection of multi-band signals. Quantum technology, specifically nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds, offers p...

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Main Authors: Qunsong Zeng, Jiahua Zhang, Madhav Gupta, Zhiqin Chu, Kaibin Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Communications Engineering
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00396-4
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author Qunsong Zeng
Jiahua Zhang
Madhav Gupta
Zhiqin Chu
Kaibin Huang
author_facet Qunsong Zeng
Jiahua Zhang
Madhav Gupta
Zhiqin Chu
Kaibin Huang
author_sort Qunsong Zeng
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The development of sixth-generation wireless communication systems demands innovative solutions to address challenges in the deployment of a large number of base stations and the detection of multi-band signals. Quantum technology, specifically nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds, offers promising potential for the development of compact, robust receivers capable of supporting multiple users. Here we propose a multiple access scheme using fluorescent nanodiamonds containing nitrogen-vacancy centers as nano-antennas. The unique response of each nanodiamond to applied microwaves allows for distinguishable patterns of fluorescence intensities, enabling multi-user signal demodulation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our nanodiamonds-implemented receiver by simultaneously transmitting two uncoded digitally modulated information bit streams from two separate transmitters, achieving a low bit error ratio. Moreover, our design supports tunable frequency band communication and reference-free signal decoupling, reducing communication overhead. Furthermore, we implement a miniaturized device comprising all essential components, highlighting its practicality as a receiver serving multiple users simultaneously. This approach enables the integration of quantum sensing technologies into future wireless communication networks.
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issn 2731-3395
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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spelling doaj-art-ffc4a8771b2a406e8b8386d1c12c145d2025-08-20T02:25:40ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Engineering2731-33952025-03-01411910.1038/s44172-025-00396-4Towards ubiquitous radio access using nanodiamond based quantum receiversQunsong Zeng0Jiahua Zhang1Madhav Gupta2Zhiqin Chu3Kaibin Huang4Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong KongDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong KongAbstract The development of sixth-generation wireless communication systems demands innovative solutions to address challenges in the deployment of a large number of base stations and the detection of multi-band signals. Quantum technology, specifically nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamonds, offers promising potential for the development of compact, robust receivers capable of supporting multiple users. Here we propose a multiple access scheme using fluorescent nanodiamonds containing nitrogen-vacancy centers as nano-antennas. The unique response of each nanodiamond to applied microwaves allows for distinguishable patterns of fluorescence intensities, enabling multi-user signal demodulation. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our nanodiamonds-implemented receiver by simultaneously transmitting two uncoded digitally modulated information bit streams from two separate transmitters, achieving a low bit error ratio. Moreover, our design supports tunable frequency band communication and reference-free signal decoupling, reducing communication overhead. Furthermore, we implement a miniaturized device comprising all essential components, highlighting its practicality as a receiver serving multiple users simultaneously. This approach enables the integration of quantum sensing technologies into future wireless communication networks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00396-4
spellingShingle Qunsong Zeng
Jiahua Zhang
Madhav Gupta
Zhiqin Chu
Kaibin Huang
Towards ubiquitous radio access using nanodiamond based quantum receivers
Communications Engineering
title Towards ubiquitous radio access using nanodiamond based quantum receivers
title_full Towards ubiquitous radio access using nanodiamond based quantum receivers
title_fullStr Towards ubiquitous radio access using nanodiamond based quantum receivers
title_full_unstemmed Towards ubiquitous radio access using nanodiamond based quantum receivers
title_short Towards ubiquitous radio access using nanodiamond based quantum receivers
title_sort towards ubiquitous radio access using nanodiamond based quantum receivers
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00396-4
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AT zhiqinchu towardsubiquitousradioaccessusingnanodiamondbasedquantumreceivers
AT kaibinhuang towardsubiquitousradioaccessusingnanodiamondbasedquantumreceivers