Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI

Project

SQuaD – Umbrella Project Quantum Communication Germany

The central aim of the Umbrella Project Quantum Communication Germany (SQuaD) is to promote the coherent development of quantum communication (Qcom), to act as a platform for all relevant partners from Germany and thus to secure a strong role for Germany and Europe in the commercialisation of Qcom. In this way, synergies will be leveraged, duplication avoided and the optimal utilisation of resources from research and industry ensured, thus significantly strengthening the competitive position in the international environment and securing technological sovereignty in the long term.

The participation of relevant national institutes enables the independent characterisation of hardware components and the early consideration of security aspects. International networking as well as monitoring and roadmapping activities support the strategic orientation of the umbrella and optimise the German position in Qcom.

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Quantum communication offers new possibilities for more precise time synchronisation, blind cloud computing and highly secure data transmission. QKD, quantum-based key distribution, is a promising part of quantum cryptography that can enable a qualitatively new level of eavesdropping security. Technologies in this area are about to be launched on the market and are considered part of the solution for quantum-safe cryptography.

The SquaD umbrella project aims to promote the development of quantum communication in Germany and serve as a platform for all relevant partners. This will strengthen the competitive position of Germany and Europe, utilise synergies and make efficient use of resources in order to secure technological sovereignty in the long term.

The tasks of Fraunhofer ISI in the SQuaD project include:

Monitoring

A qualitative trend analysis will analyse the current status and future developments in Qcom technology at national, EU-wide and international level. Relevant players will be identified and an overview of the ecosystem will be provided. Quantitative benchmarking will analyse publications, patents, applications and markets in the field of Qcom in Germany, the EU and worldwide in order to enable a neutral comparison of activities.

Roadmapping

Based on the findings from the previous analyses, technology roadmapping processes are carried out to identify future developments and challenges. The aim is to focus on specific technologies and areas of Qcom. The processes include a detailed analysis of the focal areas in relation to the state of the art, relevant players and future developments.

In addition, an application roadmap will be drawn up to identify the potential and requirements of Qcom in various application areas. This involves analysing questions relating to possible applications, the added value of Qcom, economic aspects, interfaces to existing systems and effects on the area of application.

Monitoring Report 1 – Quantum Communication 2024

Monitoring Report 1 – Quantum Communication 2024
© Fraunhofer ISI

Due to advances in quantum computing,  “quantum-safe” encryption methods will be needed in the future to ensure secure communication. Quantum communication could play a crucial role in this. This report gives an overview of the three generations of quantum communication technologies: quantum key distribution following the prepare & measure principle, entanglement-based quantum key distribution and quantum repeaters. The report analyses the developments in research, industrialization, test infrastructure and market, and shows increasing publication and patenting activities. In addition, funding programs in Germany and Europe as well as international strategies for quantum communication are examined. Finally, challenges and measures to secure technological sovereignty in quantum communication are discussed.

Download Monitoring Report

Duration

09/2022 – 12/2025

Client

    Federal Ministry of Education and Research –

    Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)

    Förderkennzeichen: 16KISQ116

Project team Fraunhofer ISI

  • Thomas Schmaltz
  • Lukas Weymann
  • Saeideh Shirinzadeh
  • Chie Endo

 

 

Network coordination

  • Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig
  • Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik (BSI), Bonn

 

 

Partners

  • KEEQuant GmbH, Fürth
  • Quantum Business Network UG, München
  • Universität des Saarlandes (UdS), Saarbrücken
  • Fraunhofer-Institut für System- und Innovationsforschung (ISI), Karlsruhe
  • Fraunhofer-Institut für Angewandte Optik und Feinmechanik (IOF), Jena
  • Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI), Berlin
  • Leibniz Universität, Hannover (LUH)

 

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