5G-Enabled Quantum-Secure Authentication Scheme for Distribution Network Communications

The digitization of distribution networks necessitates robust, quantum-resistant communication protocols to secure end-to-main-station interactions amid escalating connectivity and quantum computing threats. Traditional cryptographic schemes, susceptible to Shor’s algorithm, prove inadequate in wireless settings marred by fading and interference, while prior QKD-5G hybrids neglect hierarchical architectures and service diversity. This paper proposes an innovative framework that fuses quantum key distribution (QKD) with 5G primitives—such as beamforming and network slicing—to realize stratified authentication, adaptive one-time-pad key distribution, and service-tailored protocols. Core innovations encompass threshold-based edge key pooling for enhanced scalability, channel state information (CSI)-driven QKD adaptations for noise mitigation, and convex-optimized slicing for isolating ultra-reliable low-latency (URLLC) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services. Security analysis establishes information-theoretic assurances against semi-honest adversaries, with simulations demonstrating superior key rates, low latencies, and large-scale terminal support—outperforming baselines in resilience. This framework propels quantum-secure smart grids forward, alleviating post-quantum vulnerabilities and promoting resilient energy systems.