Optical field encryption for secure transmission of data

Colin B. Fraser; Andrew R. Harvey

doi:10.1117/12.580310

8 December 2004 Optical field encryption for secure transmission of data

Colin B. Fraser, Andrew R. Harvey

Proceedings Volume 5614, Advanced Free-Space Optical Communications Techniques and Technologies; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.580310
Event: European Symposium on Optics and Photonics for Defence and Security, 2004, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

The growing awareness of the vulnerability of information transmitted on communication systems within the government, military and commercial sectors, has stimulated a number of areas of research within the optical community to design optical hardware encryption systems providing inherent immunity to espionage techniques. This paper describes a hardware optical encryption technique that utilises off the shelf telecommunication equipment and negates the necessity for an independent key distribution system with respect to the data transmission system, as is common with alternative encryption system implementations. This method also lends itself easily to fiber optic or free space communication and is applicable within any optical waveband. The encryption-decryption of the optical signal is achieved through low coherence optical interferometry. This requires the instantaneous processing and analysis of the signal, optically, to retrieve the relevant optical phase information hidden in the transmitted optical noise. This technology allows an authorised user to transmit encrypted information at a high data rate securely, while maintaining opaqueness to an unauthorised observer that data transmission is occurring. As the instantaneous optical field properties of the signals present in the system are essential to the optical encryption - decryption process, the system is inherently protected against electronic recording and advances in computational decryption algorithms. For organisations wishing to protect sensitive data and levels of communication activity these are highly desirable features.

Citation Download Citation

Colin B. Fraser and Andrew R. Harvey "Optical field encryption for secure transmission of data", Proc. SPIE 5614, Advanced Free-Space Optical Communications Techniques and Technologies, (8 December 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.580310

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KEYWORDS

Free space optics

Telecommunications

Modulation

Signal processing

Data transmission

Free space

Mirrors

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