Joint parameter estimation and multidimensional reconciliation for continuous-variable quantum key distribution

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Authors: Anonymous, Xueqin Jiang, Peng Huang, Tao Wang, Guihua Zeng
Cited by: 1
References: 43

Abstract

Accurate quantum channel parameter estimation is essential for effective information reconciliation in continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD). However, conventional maximum likelihood (ML) estimators rely on a large amount of disclosed data, leading to a significant loss in symbol efficiency. Moreover, the separation between the estimation and reconciliation phases can introduce error propagation. In this paper, we propose a novel joint message-passing scheme that unifies channel parameter estimation and information reconciliation within a Bayesian framework. By leveraging the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm, the proposed method simultaneously estimates unknown parameters during decoding, eliminating the need for separate ML estimation. Furthermore, we introduce a hybrid multidimensional rotation scheme that removes the requirement for norm feedback, significantly reducing classical channel overhead. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to unify multidimensional reconciliation and channel parameter estimation in CV-QKD, providing a practical solution for high-efficiency reconciliation with minimal information disclosure.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Quantum Information and Cryptography Quantum Mechanics and Applications Advanced Statistical Modeling Techniques

Publication details

Journal / source
Physical Review A
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Volume
114
Issue
2
Publication date
23 July 2026
Language
EN