A Survey of Quantum Covert Communication Integration Schemes and Application Scenarios

SUN Yiheng; XU Yongjun; ZHANG Haibo; HUANG Zishan

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. 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. 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

SUN Yiheng^{1, 2},
XU Yongjun^{1, 2
,
,},
ZHANG Haibo^{1, 2},
HUANG Zishan^{1, 2}

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: Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (CSTB2024-NSCQOCXMX0059), 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

Abstract

Abstract

Significance With the growing demand for network communication security, research and development in covert communication and quantum communication have continued to evolve. However, current covert communication suffers from inherent security vulnerabilities; the transmission reliability of quantum communication has been limited by information eavesdropping and harmful interference. Therefore, quantum covert communication has become a research hotspot, integrating the advantages of both covert and quantum communication while addressing their respective security limitations. To this end, this paper provides a comprehensive survey of quantum covert communication integration schemes and application scenarios, including the principles of covert communication and typical enabling techniques; protocols for quantum communication and important quantum techniques; and three types of quantum covert communication integration schemes summarized by different application scenarios. This paper contributes to the design of advanced secure communication networks while offering guidance for the development of future quantum covert communication systems. Progress This paper presents a comprehensive survey of recent advances in quantum covert communication integration schemes and application scenarios, with an in-depth discussion of the principles of covert communication and key enabling techniques, such as Fluid Antenna (FA), Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). FA actively reshapes wireless channel characteristics, particularly the spatial correlation of multipath components, by dynamically adjusting the transmitter physical configuration, thereby reducing information leakage. In Non-Line-of-Sight (NLoS) scenarios, RIS can dynamically alter the direction of reflected transmission of the incident signal, not only enhancing the Channel State Information (CSI) quality of the covert signal but also reducing signal leakage. In flexible or temporary communication networks, UAVs can increase CSI uncertainty, preventing unauthorized users from establishing a stable monitoring model and thereby complicating eavesdropping. Then, key protocols and significant techniques of quantum communication are introduced, including BB84, B92, and E91 for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), and BF02, Two-Step for Quantum Secure Direct Communication (QSDC). Additionally, the quantum repeaters and Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) are reviewed. Based on different application scenarios, quantum covert communication integration schemes can be categorized into enabling, covert, and symbiotic integration schemes, depending on the integration mechanisms. To be specific, the enabling integration scheme leverages the unconditional security of quantum communication to address the security vulnerabilities in covert communication, the covert integration scheme utilizes enabling techniques in covert communication to reduce the detection probability of quantum communication, and the symbiotic integration scheme combines both advantages of covert communication and quantum communication to achieve mutual empowerment and deep symbiosis. Finally, critical challenges are highlighted, including stringent hardware precision requirements, low resource allocation efficiency, and obstacles in large-scale applications. Promising directions for future research are also identified, including R&D on precision communication equipment, dynamic resource management, cost control during deployment, and the promotion of standardized development. Prospects Despite remarkable progress in preliminary applications and specific scenarios, research on quantum covert communication remains in its infancy. As quantum covert communication scenarios become increasingly diverse and complex, future studies should prioritize challenges that restrict further development and large-scale application of quantum covert communication. The stringent hardware precision requirements are the primary challenge, limiting reliable transmission distance and stability. Low resource allocation efficiency is another challenge, as the quantum covert communication system that generates quantum entanglement over lossy channels remains subject to the Square Root Law (SRL) constraints, while signal transmission exhibits burstiness and dynamics. Additionally, high deployment costs and the lack of standardization present significant hurdles. To address the challenges mentioned, future directions should include R&D on precision communication equipment, dynamic resource management, cost control during deployment, and the promotion of standardized development to facilitate the development of high-performance, large-scale, and multi-scenario quantum covert communication. Conclusions This paper provides a comprehensive survey of quantum covert communication with particular emphasis on integration schemes and application scenarios. The fundamentals and typical enabling techniques of covert communication are first reviewed, highlighting its Low Probability of Detection (LPD) secure paradigm and unique channel characteristics. The typical protocols and important techniques of quantum communication are then examined, including QKD, QSDC, quantum repeaters, and QRNG. Three types of quantum covert communication integration schemes have been further classified by different integration mechanisms and corresponding application scenarios. Finally, several existing challenges are identified, including stringent hardware precision requirements, low resource allocation efficiency, and obstacles to large-scale applications. Relevant research directions are also outlined, including R&D on precision communication equipment, dynamic resource management, cost control during deployment, and the promotion of standardized development. These directions are expected to serve as a valuable reference for advancing and standardizing 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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