| Project ID |
BITS-SRIP/0D09A4/2026 |
| Project Title |
Quantum-Inspired Secure Protocols for Underwater Communications |
| Project Description |
Underwater communication networks (AUVs, sensor nodes, offshore monitoring) rely mainly on acoustic links that are bandwidth-limited, high-latency, and vulnerable to interception or spoofing. This project examines how concepts from quantum communication protocols—particularly quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum-safe security principles can inform practical, lightweight security protocols for underwater links.
The student will study the unique constraints of underwater channels (acoustic and/or optical), then design and evaluate a secure communication protocol stack for a small underwater network model. The work will be simulation-based and will focus on message exchange design (handshake, authentication, key refresh), reliability under high delays, and security against common attacks. If true quantum hardware is not available (likely), the project will use “quantum-inspired” protocol design and optionally include a conceptual QKD-over-underwater-optical feasibility study as an extension.
Expected Outcomes
• A clearly defined protocol (message formats + state machine + security goals)
• A simulation framework demonstrating protocol performance under underwater impairments
• Quantitative results showing trade-offs between security overhead and reliability/latency
• Final report and reproducible code |
| Project Discipline |
Open to EE/ECE/CS students. Comfort with Python programming and basic networking concepts is sufficient. Interest in security and communication systems is helpful. |
| Faculty Name |
Syed Mohammad Zafaruddin |
| Department |
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering |
