Drone-based entanglement distribution provides full spatiotemporal coverage for quantum networks, enabling quantum key distribution (QKD) in dynamic environments. The security of QKD fundamentally depends on high-fidelity quantum state measurements, for which high-precision clock synchronization is indispensable, as timing jitter is inversely correlated with quantum state fidelity. However, drone-based clock synchronization is constrained by SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) limitations and dynamic mobility effects. Here, we propose a synchronization protocol for drone-based entanglement distribution, leveraging nanosecond-accurate Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) timing and entanglement-based timing correction to overcome SWaP constraints. Experimental results demonstrate 24 ps RMS synchronization in simulated free-space quantum channels with distance dynamics, without requiring precision reference clock. Our protocol enables drone-based entanglement distribution, paving the way for seamless wide-area and local-area quantum internet.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2506.07831,
title = {Clock Synchronization for Drone-Based Entanglement Quantum Key Distribution},
author = {Jinquan Huang and Bangying Tang and Hui Han and JianJi Yi and Bo Xu and Chunqing Wu and Xiangwei Zhu and Wanrong Yu and Huicun Yu and Jiahao Li and Shihai Sun and Bo Liu},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.07831},
year = {2025}
}