QuanDT

Project title: QuanDT: Quantum Computing-Assisted Digital Twinning for Enhanced Open RAN Towards 6G

Duration: 2025-2027

UK Lead: Prof. Huan X Nguyen (London Digital Twin Research Centre)

Japan Lead: Assoc. Prof Gia Khanh Tran (Tokyo Institute of Science)

Other partners:

• • Tokyo Institute of Science (Japan): Prof. Jun Yoneda, Prof. Tetsuo Kodera, Prof. Kei Sakaguchi, Prof. Yu Tao, Prof. Zongdian Li
  • Rakuten Symphony (UK): Dr Duc To and Dr Kexuan Sun
  • Rakuten Mobile (Japan): Ms Yuki Tanaka and Mr Takuya Miyazawa

  • HCL Technologies (India): Ramesh Sriraman and Deepanshu Karwal

Funders: This project is supported by the British Council under the International Research Collaborations (Japan) programme (Grant ID: 1853 Nguyen Japan), as part of the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) which is managed by the UK Government’s Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT). The ISPF puts research and innovation at the heart of international relationships, supporting UK researchers and innovators to work with peers around the world on the major themes: planet, health, technologies and talent. For further information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-science-partnerships-fund-ispf..

Project summary: This collaboration between researchers from the UK and Japan explores integrating Digital Twin (DT) and Quantum Computing (QC) technologies into Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) for future 6G networks. O-RAN provides a flexible and cost-effective approach to managing wireless networks but faces challenges in real-time optimisation, energy efficiency, and security due to the complexity of 6G. The project aims to use QC’s computational power to enhance DTs, enabling real-time simulations and optimisation of network configurations. By combining DTs and QC, the project will address critical 6G challenges such as adaptive traffic management and energy efficiency. A real-world case study will demonstrate how QC-assisted DTs can optimise O-RAN operations, reduce operational costs, and enhance network reliability. The research promises to impact the telecommunications sector by delivering innovative solutions for more secure and sustainable 6G networks, benefiting network operators, industries, and end-users alike, while advancing knowledge in DT and QC technologies.