Secure and Energy-Efficient Wireless Sensor Networks through 5G Integration and Quantum Key Distribution

DOI

https://www.doi.org/10.59256/indjcst.20250403035

Published In

Volume 4, Issue 3 (2025)

Published Online

September-December 2025

Pages

222-229

Article Type

Original Article

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: Greater security pledges, reduced latency, and increased energy efficiency are now more important than ever due to the Wireless Sensor Networks' (WSNs) explosive growth. Although they work well for many distributed systems, traditional cryptography techniques are slow for mission-critical sensor applications and are still susceptible to new quantum attackers. In order to improve WSN security and performance, this study proposes a unified framework that combines Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) with 5G communication capabilities. This expanded work builds on previous simulation studies before and after the third Doctoral Committee evaluation. It includes a refined 5G-enabled architecture, a lightweight QKD model, and extensive simulations that capture energy consumption, bandwidth variation, latency, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), and Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER). The findings show that while QKD maintains robust security even under controlled levels of quantum noise, 5G-assisted WSNs greatly increase bandwidth usage and communication delay. The proposed 5G–QKD WSN consistently delivers decreased latency, stable PDR, and enhanced security without imposing severe energy penalties, according to comparative simulations versus classical LEACH and MULE-based baselines. These results lend credence to the viability of hybrid quantum-enhanced wireless networks for critical infrastructure monitoring, smart environments, and future extensive IoT deployments.