A Survey of Quantum Covert Communication Integration Schemes and Application Scenarios

SUN Yiheng; XU Yongjun; ZHANG Haibo; HUANG Zishan

doi:10.11999/JEIT260282

Volume 48 Issue 9

Sep. 2026

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SUN Yiheng, XU Yongjun, ZHANG Haibo, HUANG Zishan. A Survey of Quantum Covert Communication Integration Schemes and Application Scenarios[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology, 2026, 48(9): 3721-3729. doi: 10.11999/JEIT260282

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SUN Yiheng, XU Yongjun, ZHANG Haibo, HUANG Zishan. A Survey of Quantum Covert Communication Integration Schemes and Application Scenarios[J]. Journal of Electronics & Information Technology, 2026, 48(9): 3721-3729. doi: 10.11999/JEIT260282

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A Survey of Quantum Covert Communication Integration Schemes and Application Scenarios

doi: 10.11999/JEIT260282 cstr: 32379.14.JEIT260282

1.
School of Communications and Information Engineering, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing 400065, China
2.
State Key Laboratory of Millimeter Waves, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China

Funds: The Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (CSTB2024-NSCQOCXMX0059), The Open Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Millimeter Waves (KN202502-07)

Received Date: 2026-03-16
Accepted Date: 2026-05-15
Rev Recd Date: 2026-04-13

Available Online: 2026-06-03

Publish Date: 2026-09-18

Abstract

Abstract

Significance With the growing demand for secure network communications, research on covert communication and quantum communication continues to advance. However, current covert communication still has inherent security vulnerabilities and risks of information leakage. The transmission reliability of quantum communication is also limited by eavesdropping and harmful interference, partly because the communication behavior itself is not fully hidden. Quantum covert communication has therefore attracted increasing attention, as it integrates behavior concealment with unconditional security. This paper surveys quantum covert communication integration schemes and application scenarios. It first introduces the principles of covert communication and typical enabling techniques. It then reviews quantum communication protocols and key quantum techniques. Three types of integration schemes are further summarized according to different application scenarios. This survey provides a reference for the design of secure communication networks and for the development of future quantum covert communication systems. Progress This paper reviews recent advances in quantum covert communication integration schemes and application scenarios. The principles of covert communication and key enabling techniques are first discussed, including Fluid Antenna (FA), Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). FA reshapes wireless channel characteristics by dynamically adjusting antenna configuration, including shape, position, and radiation direction. This capability helps regulate the spatial correlation of multipath components and reduce information leakage. In Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) scenarios, RIS can dynamically change the propagation direction of incident signals. It can improve signal reception quality at the intended receiver, reduce signal leakage to monitoring users, and increase Channel State Information (CSI) uncertainty. In flexible or temporary communication networks, UAVs can adjust network topology and channel conditions through mobility. This helps create favorable channels for intended receivers while making stable monitoring more difficult. Key protocols and techniques for quantum communication are then introduced. These include BB84, B92, and E91 for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), and BF02 and Two-Step for Quantum Secure Direct Communication (QSDC). Quantum repeaters and Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) are also reviewed. According to application scenarios and integration mechanisms, quantum covert communication integration schemes are classified into the Enabling Integration Scheme, the Concealment Integration Scheme, and the Symbiotic Integration Scheme. The Enabling Integration Scheme uses the unconditional security of quantum communication to compensate for security vulnerabilities in covert communication. The Concealment Integration Scheme uses covert communication enabling techniques to reduce the exposure probability of quantum communication behavior. The Symbiotic Integration Scheme integrates the advantages of covert communication and quantum communication to support mutual enhancement and deep system-level fusion. Finally, key challenges are discussed, including stringent equipment precision requirements, low resource allocation efficiency, and barriers to large-scale application. Future research directions are also identified, including high-precision communication equipment, dynamic resource management, deployment cost control, and standardized development. Prospects Despite the progress in preliminary applications and specific scenarios, research on quantum covert communication remains at an early stage. As application scenarios become more diverse and complex, future studies should focus on challenges that limit further development and large-scale application. Stringent equipment precision requirements are a primary challenge because they restrict reliable transmission distance and system stability. Low resource allocation efficiency is another challenge. Quantum covert communication systems that generate quantum entanglement over lossy channels remain constrained by the Square Root Law (SRL), while signal transmission is often bursty and dynamic. High deployment costs and the lack of unified standards also hinder practical implementation. To address these challenges, future research should focus on the research and development of high-precision communication equipment, dynamic resource management, deployment cost control, and standardized development. These efforts may support high-performance, large-scale, and multi-scenario quantum covert communication. Conclusions This paper surveys quantum covert communication, with emphasis on integration schemes and application scenarios. The fundamentals and typical enabling techniques of covert communication are first reviewed, including its Low Probability of Detection (LPD) security paradigm and channel characteristics. Typical protocols and key techniques for quantum communication are then examined, including QKD, QSDC, quantum repeaters, and QRNG. Three types of quantum covert communication integration schemes are further classified according to their integration mechanisms and application scenarios. Existing challenges are identified, including stringent equipment precision requirements, low resource allocation efficiency, and barriers to large-scale application. Future research directions include high-precision communication equipment, dynamic resource management, deployment cost control, and standardized development. These directions provide a useful reference for advancing quantum covert communication in future secure networks.
- Covert communication,
- Quantum communication,
- Quantum covert communication,
- Integration schemes

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References(42)

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