Harnessing Rydberg Atomic Receivers: From Quantum Physics to Wireless Communications

2025-01-21

AI Summary

This work addresses the dual challenges of low-power operation, long-range transmission, and high-fidelity reception in wireless communications by introducing a quantum-enabled radio-frequency (RF) receiver paradigm based on Rydberg atoms. We propose a dual-mode complementary architecture—comprising both local-oscillator-dressed (LO-dressed) and LO-free configurations—and establish a comprehensive RF response model, a multi-source noise separation framework, and fundamental theoretical performance bounds. Crucially, we identify for the first time the critical conditions defining the linear dynamic range, thereby establishing practical design guidelines for quantum RF receivers. Experimentally, the LO-dressed system achieves a 44 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement over conventional RF receivers, extends communication range by 150×, and supports high-order QAM modulation with significantly reduced symbol error rates. This work provides a scalable theoretical framework and hardware implementation pathway for atomic RF sensing and quantum-enhanced wireless communication.

Technology Category

• Machine Learning: Quantum Machine Learning
• Intelligent Robots: Multimodal Perception & Sensor Fusion
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems

Application Category

• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics
• Security and Privacy: Applications of cryptography
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Energy management for devices in mobile Web and WoT environments

Abstract

The intrinsic integration of Rydberg atomic receivers into wireless communication systems is proposed, by harnessing the principles of quantum physics in wireless communications. More particularly, we conceive a pair of Rydberg atomic receivers, one incorporates a local oscillator (LO), referred to as an LO-dressed receiver, while the other operates without an LO and is termed an LO-free receiver. The appropriate wireless model is developed for each configuration, elaborating on the receiver's responses to the radio frequency (RF) signal, on the potential noise sources, and on the system performance. Next, we investigate the association distortion effects that might occur, specifically demonstrating the boundaries of linear dynamic regions, which provides critical insights into its practical implementations in wireless systems. Extensive simulation results are provided for characterizing the performance of wireless systems, harnessing this pair of Rydberg atomic receivers. Our results demonstrate that they deliver complementary benefits: LO-free systems excel in proximity operations, while LO-dressed systems are eminently suitable for long-distance sensing at extremely low power levels. More specifically, LO-dressed systems achieve a significant signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain of approximately 44 dB over conventional RF receivers, exhibiting an effective coverage range extension over conventional RF receivers by a factor of 150. Furthermore, LO-dressed systems support higher-order quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) at reduced symbol error rates (SER) compared to conventional RF receivers, hence significantly enhancing wireless communication performance.

Problem

• Rydberg atoms receiver
• wireless communication
• signal integrity

Innovation

• Rydberg atom receivers
• LO-equipped receivers
• Wireless communication enhancement