LGU+ Advances 6G Low Earth Orbit Satellite Network Research Using Quantum Computers

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] LG Uplus announced on the 14th that it has collaborated with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to conduct research on optimizing 6G low Earth orbit satellite networks using quantum computers.

Since December last year, LG Uplus, along with Professor Lee Joon-gu's and Professor Han Dong-soo's research teams at KAIST, have been studying the optimization of 6G low Earth orbit satellite network structures for six months using the world's first commercialized D-wave quantum computer.

In satellite networks, the data transmission paths increase proportionally to the number of connection points. When satellites come within communication range of each other, the network must be frequently reconfigured, requiring network optimization to find the fastest route for data transmission.

Optimizing 6G low Earth orbit satellite networks requires advanced technology. Unlike geostationary satellites fixed at an altitude of 36,000 km, low Earth orbit satellites orbiting at altitudes between 200 and 2,000 km change their positions in real time, necessitating the identification of the optimal network configuration within a short time.

The research team approached this as a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem, successfully using a quantum computer to quickly calculate the number and distance of surrounding satellites that can communicate with a single satellite.

The satellite network optimization algorithm using quantum computers developed by the research team achieved a dramatic reduction in the number of hops (connection points skipped without direct connection) and path length compared to existing optimization algorithms. This confirmed that ultra-high performance (user-perceived speeds exceeding 1 Gbps) and ultra-precision (end-to-end latency below 5 ms) services, indistinguishable from terrestrial communication, can be realized even in satellite communication environments.

Once commercialized, this optimization technology is expected to enable the realization of "super-spatiality" pursued in 6G. "Super-spatiality" refers to maintaining communication with objects moving at speeds up to 1,000 km/h from the ground up to an altitude of 10 km. Using optimized satellite communication, 6G connectivity will be possible not only on the ground but also in currently unreachable areas such as airplanes and deserts.

Meanwhile, quantum computers leverage the physical properties of quantum mechanics to deliver high computational power. Currently, global IT companies such as IBM, Google, AWS, and Microsoft are conducting quantum computer research. Notably, Canada's D-wave offers the world's first commercialized quantum computer cloud subscription service, capable of rapidly solving optimization problems that involve finding specific combinations. Domestic industry-academia-research collaborations are utilizing this technology.

LG Uplus is continuing its future preparations for customer experience innovation by not only conducting research utilizing quantum computers but also successfully commercializing enterprise-dedicated lines applying Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), which can defend against quantum computer attacks, in April.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.