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Quantum Technology Is Accelerating. This Textbook Is Designed to Help Engineers Keep Up.
Quantum communication technologies are reshaping how the world transmits information, protects data and measures physical phenomena, and they are doing so faster than most experts anticipated. Ivan B. Djordjevic, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, has published a new textbook written for this moment: “Quantum Communication, Quantum Networks and Quantum Sensing: An Applied Approach,” Second Edition, published by Elsevier.
His stated goal is to make quantum technologies approachable.
“My motivation for writing this book grew out of firsthand classroom experience,” Djordjevic explained. “While teaching several classes on quantum information, communication and networking, I realized there wasn’t an adequate textbook available. To make student activities easier and more effective, I decided to write this book.”
A Practical Guide for Engineers, Not Just Physicists
The book does not assume readers have a deep background in quantum mechanics. Written for engineers, computer scientists, physicists and mathematicians, it prioritizes practical guidance and real-world examples over theoretical abstraction.
A standout feature is the inclusion of step-by-step tutorials on designing quantum error correction, communication and sensing circuits. The book also offers an accessible introduction to quantum machine learning, a field where data-learning techniques are applied within quantum computing systems.
Djordjevic walks readers through how to build and understand quantum systems that fix errors, transmit information and make precise measurements, then shows how machine learning principles extend into that quantum context.
Why Quantum Communication and Why Now
Djordjevic’s own research focus reflects a broader industry shift. Quantum communication is drawing serious attention from investors, governments and standards bodies, independent of the parallel race in quantum computing.
“Quantum communication is advancing even faster than quantum computing. It’s the first among quantum information technologies to offer practical, cost-effective applications,” he said.
That assessment aligns with current market data. The global quantum communication market was estimated at roughly $1.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach approximately $5.4 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of about 31.8%, according to Grand View Research. The United Nations designated 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, citing the accelerating pace of real-world deployment.
Djordjevic is direct about the window of opportunity for those preparing to enter the field.
“Quantum communication, sensing and networking are moving toward real-world applications more rapidly than most people expect. Now is the perfect time to get involved in this promising field.”
Quantum Key Distribution and Secure Networking
One area the book addresses in depth is quantum key distribution, or QKD, a method of encrypting data using quantum mechanics in a way that makes interception detectable. QKD has become a priority technology for governments and telecom operators concerned about the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat, where adversaries collect encrypted data today and hold it until more powerful quantum computers can crack it.
The textbook covers QKD as part of a broader treatment of quantum networks, quantum sensing and quantum error correction, giving readers a path from foundational concepts to practical circuit design.
The Researcher Behind the Work
Djordjevic leads the Quantum Communications, Sensing and Networking Lab at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. He is a fellow of both IEEE and Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America), and his career spans top research universities and industry roles across multiple countries. He has authored or co-authored 13 books, holds 58 U.S. patents and has published more than 620 journal and conference papers.
The second edition of the textbook is available through Elsevier.
Editor’s Note: This article was edited with a custom prompt for Claude Sonnet 4.6, an AI assistant created by Anthropic. The AI optimized the article for SEO discoverability, improved clarity, structure and readability while preserving the original reporting and factual content. All information and viewpoints remain those of the author and publication. This article was edited and fact-checked by college staff before being published. This disclosure is part of our commitment to transparency in our editorial process. Last edited: 03/23/2026.
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